The Frenchman will leave Alpine at the end of this year after he and the team announced this week that parting ways was the best option for both parties.
The decision came shortly after the controversial contact with Gasly on the first lap of the Monte Carlo race, which led team principal Bruno Famin to warn there would be consequences.
Interest in the actions taken by the team, despite a separation in 2025 already more than likely before the accident, was fueled further when Alpine announced that reserve driver Doohan would take Ocon’s car for the first round of free practice in Montreal.
The timing of the decision represents a break with the past: previously, in fact, Alpine had waited until the last races of the season to send its rookies on track.
But Ocon denied reports that Alpine’s inclusion of Doohan in Montreal was retribution for what happened, saying there were other reasons for doing so here.
“I saw the media suggesting it was a punishment, but that’s not the case at all,” he said. “As a team we have to give two FP1s to the rookies. And I’m giving mine to Jack here.”
“The track will be very dirty at the start, with the new asphalt, so it will have to be cleaned up a bit. Unfortunately, I also received a five-place grid penalty, so qualifying will be less important than usual for me.”
“And, from a team point of view, we think we will have a more competitive car as the year progresses. So, for us, running Doohan early is a good thing, rather than doing it in Mexico or Abu Dhabi, as we do Usually”.
Jack Doohan, Reserve Driver, Alpine F1 Team, does a seat fit
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
The consequences of Munich
While the Munich incident was a factor in the timing of Ocon’s announcement that he wanted to leave the team, it is believed to not have been the sole reason for the end of their relationship.
As Ocon explained, discussions between him and Alpine had been ongoing for some time about their future together.
“We’ve been talking to the team for several months,” he said, “Alpine is a big group, Renault is a big group, and it’s the kind of team that doesn’t make decisions on just one race. We talked and we mutually agreed to reach the end of the contract”.
“I spent five years in this team. We have experienced fantastic moments and some more difficult ones, but five years in Formula 1 is a long time, for sure. And, yes, I am excited about the challenge that awaits me and to end the collaboration in the best possible way” .
Ocon said he and Famin had spoken at length after what happened in Munich and that there were no tensions behind the scenes.
“I was at the factory for normal preparation before the weekend and had a chat with Bruno,” he said. “We talked about a lot of things and there was no awkward moment, nor do I feel like our relationship was damaged. We move forward and continue to try to do our best.”
When asked if there will be a change of approach in the way he and Gasly battle, Ocon replied: “As a driver and with the team, I have always followed the instructions given to me. So no, there is no there will be changes.”
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
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