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Esteban Ocon and BWT Alpine F1 Team will part company at the end of 2024.
Ocon (left) and teammate Pierre Gasly (right) came to blows at the start of the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix (Image Credit: Motorsport Images)In a statement released by Alpine, the French outfit revealed that Ocon’s contract will not be renewed when it comes to an end at the conclusion of the current campaign.
The French driver, who has enjoyed five years with the team, will most likely be attempting to find a vacant seat for the 2025 Formula One World Championship with rival teams including Haas and Mercedes.
Ocon recorded the last victory for the Enstone and Viry-based outfit, crossing the finish line first at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. However, the 27-year-old has come under fire for his aggressive driving and lack of sportsmanship with teammates, most recently due to a first-lap collision with Pierre Gasly at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix.
His place in Alpine appeared to be in imminent danger in the days following the incident, with Team Principal Bruno Famin stating that “there will be the appropriate consequences.”
Rumours of an early exit were quashed when Ocon confirmed that he would drive at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, but it turned out his departure was merely delayed until the end of the season.
It will always be a special place
Ocon thanked Alpine for the opportunity and also announced that he will reveal his upcoming plans in due course. He said: “t’s been a significant period of my life to be racing at this team in Formula 1. While I’ve been here for five years as a full-time racing driver, my professional career started at Enstone back when I was a teenager, so it will always be a special place for me.
“We have had some great moments together, some tough moments as well, and I am certainly grateful to everyone at the team for these memorable times.
“I will announce my plans very soon but, in the meantime, my full focus is on delivering on track for this team and having a successful remainder of the season.”
Famin also extended his gratitude to Ocon for five years of servitude: “We would like to firstly thank Esteban for his commitment to the team for the past five years. During his time, we have celebrated some fantastic moments together, the best of which coming at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with a memorable race win.
“We still have 16 races to complete in 2024 together with a clear objective: to continue to work tirelessly as a team to push for the best on-track results. We wish Esteban the very best for the next chapter of his driving career when that moment comes,” concluded the Alpine boss.
Ocon will be back behind the wheel of his A524 at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday 9 June.
Feature Image Credit: F1 Media
