Esteban Ocon has insisted “this is not how I wanted things to end” having been denied the opportunity to properly say goodbye to members of the Alpine Formula 1 team.
News of the Frenchman’s dropping for this weekend’s Abu Dhabi season finale moved fast after the Qatar Grand Prix and Ocon is expected to return to the cockpit with Haas at the post-season test next week.
Ocon will be replaced by Alpine’s 2025 rookie Jack Doohan, who is set for his debut at the Yas Marina Circuit alongside Pierre Gasly.
Having been coy on the situation as rumours spread around the paddock on Sunday, Ocon has now spoken out on social media after the announcement was made a day later.
“I would like to first and foremost thank the mechanics and engineers across all functions at the track, Enstone, and Viry-Châtillon who have raced alongside me these last five seasons,” he said, after retiring on lap one of his final race with Alpine.
“We have shared so much together, and I am proud to call many of you my friends.
Esteban Ocon, Alpine, Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Photo by: Alpine
“I leave Alpine/Renault with great memories and the pride of having been the driver who brought the team’s best results since its return to the sport, climbing the top two steps of the podium in Bahrain, Hungary, and Brazil.
“It was also an honour to play a part in finishing P4 in the Constructors’ Championship in 2022. I know how much all of those moments meant for everybody and feeling that sense of achievement and joy alongside the team is what I am taking away with me.”
Ocon, who stood on the podium with Gasly in Brazil last month, has endured a testing end to the season which has coincided with the news that he would leave the team for Haas next term – the former Manor and Force India driver suggesting his machinery was not the same as his team-mate in recent races.
“It has not been an easy year on track for the team and the second part of the season has been especially difficult. For various reasons,” he added.
“I do not regret a single thing knowing I gave it 100% every single session. Like I always have.”
The timing and fast-moving nature of the move has meant that Ocon, who has also shared a special farewell helmet design that will now not be used, is unable to properly say goodbye to members off staff both at the racetrack, at the F1 operations base at Enstone and the engine plant at Viry.
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