Esteban Ocon and Alpine have agreed to part ways at the conclusion of the 2024 Formula 1 season, ending a five-year collaboration.
The French driver has made 91 starts for the outfit, accruing 287 points since the 2020 season, which was impacted by COVID-19, when Alpine ran under the Renault banner.
Ocon won Alpine’s first Formula 1 race at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix and has achieved two further podiums in his tenure, the first at the Sakhir Grand Prix in 2020 and the most recent in the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix.
“It’s been a significant period of my life to be racing at this team in Formula 1,” said Ocon. “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.”
The news of his departure comes just one week after his controversial Lap 1 crash with teammate Pierre Gasly in the Monaco Grand Prix. Team Principal Bruno Famin condoned the attempted pass on French TV and said his driver would face consequences for the move.
The Monaco DNF is believed to have contributed to the decision, but it was not the sole reason.
“We would like to firstly thank Esteban for his commitment to the team for the past five years,” said Famin.
“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.”
Gasly is expected to renew his contract with the outfit at the end of the season, leaving one vacant seat.
Drivers linked with the vacancy include Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan, former Haas driver Mick Schumacher and Sauber’s Guanyu Zhou.
Ocon joins Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz as a 2024 competitor without a drive confirmed next year. However, both have received interest from other teams, with the Frenchman linked with a switch to Haas or Sauber.
Sainz has also been linked with Sauber but has reportedly also received an offer from Williams.
Header Image: Alpine
