Esteban Ocon, after a five-year stint with Alpine, is navigating the choppy waters of the 2025 F1 marketplace following the announcement of his departure at the end of 2024. At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Ocon mentioned his desire to secure his future early to avoid a repeat of the 2019 scenario where he was left without a seat.
Reflecting on his time at Alpine, which included a race victory and two podium finishes, Ocon is now a key figure in the F1 driver market. Speaking candidly, he emphasized the importance of securing his seat as soon as possible, stating, ‘I don’t want to pay the price a second time, like there was at the end of 2018, which was not a good memory and was not for performance reasons. I think I’m doing a good job again this year and for the years that I’ve done in F1, I deserve to have a place [on the grid].’
Several teams are reportedly interested in Ocon for the 2025 season, with Haas being a notable contender. Haas, which is preparing for life post-Nico Hulkenberg, is eyeing both Ocon and Ferrari reserve Oliver Bearman for its 2025 lineup. Bearman has impressed team principal Ayao Komatsu, but the American team is wary of repeating the costly mistakes of an all-rookie line-up from 2021.
If Bearman secures one seat, Ocon could find himself competing against Kevin Magnussen for the second spot. The Dane’s performance has been inconsistent, opening the door for Ocon should Haas decide Bearman’s experience is sufficient. With Haas showing improved performance, the opportunity to lead while Bearman gains experience may be appealing to Ocon.
Another option for Ocon could be Sauber, which will transition to Audi in 2026. This possibility hinges on Carlos Sainz’s decision regarding his future. Should Sainz choose Williams over Sauber, Ocon would be a logical fit for the Swiss team, partnering with Hulkenberg and providing a strong line-up for Audi’s full factory entry into F1. This scenario, however, requires patience from Ocon, reminiscent of his uncertain period pre-2019.
Though the Mercedes seat appears a long shot, it remains a faint possibility. Mercedes is focused on preparing Andrea Kimi Antonelli for an F1 seat, but if they have doubts about his readiness, Ocon, who is still managed by Toto Wolff, could be a viable stop-gap option. Despite this, Mercedes’ commitment to Antonelli makes this scenario less likely.
Williams, on the other hand, isn’t currently pursuing Ocon, with Sainz and Valtteri Bottas being preferred choices to partner Alex Albon. Aston Martin is expected to retain Lance Stroll, and the Red Bull stables seem set to maintain their current setups.
Esteban Ocon’s next move in F1 remains uncertain but filled with intriguing possibilities. Whether it’s with Haas, Sauber/Audi, or an unlikely stint with Mercedes, Ocon’s quest to avoid another year on the sidelines keeps the F1 driver market buzzing with anticipation.
Source: Motorsport
