Ocon, Alpine to part ways at end of 2024 season
PARIS: Formula One driver Esteban Ocon and constructor Alpine have agreed to part ways at the end of the 2024 season, the French constructor announced on Monday in a statement.
“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,” said Alpine team principal Bruno Famin.
Frenchman Ocon won his first, and the constructor’s first, Grand Prix in Budapest in 2021.
“We wish Esteban the very best for the next chapter of his driving career when that moment comes,” added Famin.
“I’ve crossed paths with so many inspiring individuals in my time here and there are too many people to thank for their hard work, passion, and dedication to the cause,” said the 27-yearold driver.
“We had many ups and certainly some downs, but all I can say is that it was an honour racing alongside you, whether you were at the factories or trackside.
“Still, there is a long way to go this season and my focus and energy is 100 percent dedicated to this team.”
“It’s been a significant period of my life to be racing at this team in Formula One,” Ocon said in a statement. “While I’ve been here for five years as a fulltime 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.”
At last month’s Monaco Grand Prix, Ocon drew the ire of Alpine management when his attempt to overtake teammate Pierre Gasly resulted in a racing-ending collision.