F1 News
Ocon and Alpine part ways: Where can the Frenchman go now?
- Ludo van Denderen
It was an announcement that had been in the air for several days: Esteban Ocon is leaving Alpine after the current season. Although there was no mention of it in Alpine's press release, the unnecessary clash with teammate Pierre Gasly at the Monaco Grand Prix must have been the straw for the French team: Gasly and Ocon together in one team is not possible, and therefore one has to leave. Ocon, who had been slowly making it harder for himself, must therefore look for a new employer. Where can he go now?
No doubt Ocon is hoping for a chance at Mercedes, where it is still unknown who will drive alongside George Russell in 2025. Max Verstappen is no longer an option (he remains at Red Bull Racing), making Andrea Kimi Antonelli the leading candidate to succeed Lewis Hamilton.
The coming months should reveal whether Mercedes already consider the 17-year-old Italian good enough to make his debut in Formula 1. Should the answer to that question be negative, Ocon is a logical option for Mercedes. Small detail: Toto Wolff, the CEO and team principal of Mercedes F1, is still managing the Frenchman.
Audi and Haas F1 considering Ocon
The question is whether Ocon will (or can) wait for a possible opportunity at the German superpower. It would be a gamble because if no opportunity at Mercedes comes up, the one-time GP winner could be left without a seat for 2025. In any case, Ocon has options elsewhere. For instance, Audi sees the 27-year-old as a candidate to step into the - then still - Sauber next year, with Nico Hulkenberg at his side. First choice is not Ocon, however; it is an open secret that Audi would prefer to attract Carlos Sainz. However, the latter is making little move to commit to the German manufacturer.
Ocon's best chance seems to be with the Haas F1 team. This is also reportedly the place the Frenchman himself is most keen on. Haas are expected to make a completely fresh start for 2025, with Oliver Bearman replacing the departing Hulkenberg. Kevin Magnussen currently occupies the second seat at the Americans, but the Dane has not been convincing for some time. His F1 career seems to be coming to an end - for the second time - and Ocon likes to see himself as his replacement.
Haas have passed Alpine
Led by new team principal Ayao Komatsu, Haas - or rather Hulkenberg - has taken a big leap forward on the grid this season. The smallest team in Formula 1 have even surpassed capital-rich Alpine. Ocon apparently sees the potential to at least regularly finish in the points with the Haas.
It is now up to Haas to decide whether Ocon will indeed get a chance. The Americans too have no doubt been following the developments of recent weeks. They must be wondering: should we trade one 'enfant terrible' (Magnussen) for another (Ocon)?