Esteban Ocon and Alpine announce their separation at the end of the 2024 season

It had almost become obvious in recent days: Esteban Ocon et Alpine will not continue their collaboration beyond 2024. The Frenchman will not extend his contract with A fléché, an expected decision following the tensions which have affected the French clan since the start of the season.

Tensions exacerbated by the clash between the two teammates at the start of the Monaco Grand Prix, on a very daring attempt to surpass the Ebroician on Pierre Gasly at the Portier bend. Bruno Famin had declared that he was going to “make a decision” following this event, and that was done: Alpine formalized his breakup with the French pilot this Monday, putting an end to speculation about Esteban Ocon's future in blue.

BWT Alpine F1 Team and Esteban Ocon agree to part ways at the end of the 2024 season.

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—BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) June 3, 2024

Arrived within the teamenstone in 2020, which then bore the name Renault, Esteban Ocon has participated in 91 Grands Prix with the French team, culminating in victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2021 with Alpine. The Norman also won two other podiums, in Sakhir in 2020 and in Monaco in 2023.

“An important chapter” ends for Ocon

“Racing for this team in Formula 1 was an important chapter in my life, underlines Esteban Ocon. Although I have been a racing driver there for five years, my professional career began at Enstone when I was just a teenager. So it will always be a special place for me. We have had some great moments together, but also some more difficult ones, and I am extremely grateful to everyone in the team for these unforgettable moments. I will announce my plans very soon, but in the meantime, I am fully focused on this team on track and on the success of the rest of the season. »

BWT Alpine F1 Team and I have agreed together to part ways at the end of the 2024 F1 season.

The Enstone-Viry family has played a significant part in my life, dating back to my Lotus junior program days. I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to have achieved the things I did… pic.twitter.com/crzJwfQRpx

- Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) June 3, 2024

“First of all, we would like to thank Esteban for his commitment to the team over the last five years, adds Bruno Famin, team principal of the team Alpine. During this time, we have celebrated some fantastic moments together, the best of which was a memorable victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. We have sixteen races remaining in 2024 with one clear objective: to continue working tirelessly as a team to achieve the best results on the track. We wish Esteban the best for the next chapter of his career when that time comes. »

Ocon leaving, Gasly ready to extend?

The separation between Esteban Ocon and Alpine was no longer in doubt after the Monaco Grand Prix and his clash with Pierre Gasly: ​​the cohabitation between the two French drivers, whose relationship is not the warmest, no longer seemed tenable for the A arrow. The Ébroïcien now finds itself without a steering wheel for 2025, but the latest trends linked him to a seat at Haas next year. It could also appear on the shelves of Mercedes, he who was brooded by the Silver Arrows at the start of his career.

On the side of home Alpine, we also specify that “the team duo for the 2025 season will be announced later”. However, the announced departure of Esteban Ocon opens a door to an extension of Pierre Gasly, which reaches the end of its contract in 2024. The unknown lies mainly in the choice of the second driver, where multiple options are still on the table.

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