Driver Esteban Ocon will leave his team, Alpine, at the end of the 2024 season, announced Monday.
The announcement was made by both Alpine and Ocon. The news come after the French driver collided with teammate Pierre Gasly during the Monaco Grand Prix, causing a huge repercussion inside the French squad.
Many thought Alpine would sit Ocon out of the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix as a punishment, but the outcome turned out to be much bigger.
Ocon will continue competing with Alpine in Formula 1 until the end of the season, when his contract expires. There are no news as to where -and if- the French driver will move next, although Haas and Sauber/Audi are the favorites.
“It’s been a significant period of my life to be racing at this team in Formula 1,” Ocon said after the announcement.
“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.”
Team principal Bruno Famin said Alpine still has “16 races to complete in 2024 together [with Ocon] 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.”