French Revolution: Esteban Ocon to depart Alpine.
Since the rebrand to Alpine in 2021 (actively BWT Alpine F1 Team), Esteban Ocon has been a longstanding member of the team, outlasting its former branding Renaut. Three years and one win later, Ocon’s time at the all French team has come to an end. After Alpine’s nightmare experience at Monaco, there was a lot of questions to be answered. Does this answer them all or introduce more? It was no surprise that as the 2024 season unfolds, drivers contracts would be up for discussion, starting before the season begun with Hamilton. Perhaps this illudes to a long thought-out decision with an already picked replacement, or maybe Monaco had everything to do with this.
It’s no question that Alpine have not had a smooth ride in Formula One, most recently experiencing agitation from Ocon in Monaco. In, what could be considered an amateur move, Ocon rear-ended teammate Pierre Gasly trying to find space that was not there, ending Ocon’s race prematurely in lap 1. It’s understood that both drivers were told to follow driver standing before the race began, which seems to explain a big wave of frustration headed Ocons way. Beyond that, both drivers only have one point to their name, however, with 16 races to go this is undoubtedly up to change. So what has brought about this sudden change? Alpine’s season did not begin well, with a p17 and p18 finish, completely opposite to Gasly’s points finish in the opening race in 2023. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to suggest that frustration has simply beaten Ocon to the finish line. Netflix’s Drive to Survive has always made a spectacle of Gasly and Ocon’s relationship, the 2023 season not so different to the events in Monaco. Nobody expects teammates in Formula One to be best friends, it would be obscene to suggest such a thing, however, the civil war that seems to be unfolding once again was the last straw.
So, was Monaco the causing factor of Ocon’s departure or is it a bigger issue? Well, both. The events in Monaco were of no help in Ocon’s case, becoming a poster for change. It seemed to serve as a reminder of the season previous, and to avoid that, change was needed. However, I do believe it goes beyond Ocon’s short fuse, simply that Gasly is better for the team and standing any chance at beating Williams, Haas, and Kick Sauber in 2025, the team needs someone at a level closer to Gasly. This, if you were to ask Alpine, just is not Ocon.
With the assumption that Pierre Gasly is to stay at the team for 2025, this leaves one spot to be filled. There is a plenitude of options Alpine could choose from around the Formula One paddock and we’ll get to those later. The big star the public have put in the spotlight for the seat is Alpine’s reserve driver and Formula 2 driver, Jack Doohan. Doohan, who has yet to make his Formula One debut, seems to be the right fit for the team, finishing P3 in the 2023 Formula 2 Championship. It is important to note that Doohan has spent time in Alpine’s simulator to rectify problems after Monaco. While this is no F1 debut like fellow F2 driver Ollie Bearman experienced, time in the simulator is a good stepping stone for Doohan to feel used to the level of an Formula One car. Alpine also has an option in Kush Maini and Victor Martins who are both tied to the team in Formula 2.
As mentioned earlier, Alpine has a variety of options within the Formula One grid. One of the most discussed options is current Mercedes reserve driver and former Haas driver, Mick Schumacher. While Mick didn’t have the best season in Formula One, a return with Alpine could be a good chance for Schumacher to improve. Currently, Schumacher is racing for Alpine in the 2024 World Endurance Championships. Though, there is whispers of a transfer to IndyCar for Schumacher which would bring an end to this rumour. Similarly, Redbull prodigy Liam Lawson is without a seat and could be exactly what Alpine are looking for after outqualifying Max Verstappen. One of the biggest names that currently has no tie to a team for 2025 is Carlos Sainz. With no confirmed place to go after Hamilton’s move, it would not be unreasonable to place the Spaniard alongside Gasly until Audi’s entrance in 2026. Is going from a top fighting team to Alpine a downgrade or a good opportunity to preserve his skills until 2026?
Unlike the top fighting teams, Alpine has clear boundaries to work within, limiting their room for error and budget. In order to push forward the team has to put together the best that they can in 2025, and that does not include Ocon. Whatever the reasonings are for this change, there is no doubt that Alpine have a plenitude of options to pick from. What matters most is the same bad performance does not continue and that the team don’t have another repeat of Monaco.
Title picture is credited to The Independent.
