French F1 driver Esteban Ocon has not minced words regarding his dissatisfaction with Alpine’s handling of driver feedback as he prepares to join Haas F1 in 2025.
The end of the partnership between Esteban Ocon and Alpine F1 marks the conclusion of a five-year chapter that began in 2019. Earlier this year, Ocon was informed that he would not be part of the Alpine line-up for the 2025 season. Consequently, Ocon secured a seat at Haas F1, teaming up with rookie Oliver Bearman. Despite his contributions, including Alpine’s last Grand Prix victory in Hungary in 2021, Ocon leaves without animosity. “No, because I have given everything for this team,” he remarked in an interview with Motorsport.com.
However, Ocon did not shy away from expressing his frustration over the lack of attention to driver feedback within the team. He revealed that the feedback provided by him and other drivers, such as Daniel Ricciardo, Fernando Alonso, and current teammate Pierre Gasly, was often ignored. “All the drivers who have been with the team have given feedback. Normally, there is a cycle where as a driver you give information to the team, then there is technical feedback. Either ‘yes, you’re right, we need to address this’ or ‘no, we can’t do this because of this or that.’ But there has never been anything like this before,” said Ocon. In a sport where continuous improvement is crucial, Ocon lamented Alpine’s disregard for this process. “The following year you realize that some of the problems you talked about have not been solved; they have gone the other way,” he added.
The strained relationship between Ocon and Alpine was exemplified by the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix. A collision between Ocon and his teammate Gasly led to public backlash and speculation about Ocon’s future with the team. Although rumors of disciplinary action followed, the matter was resolved internally, averting suspension or dismissal. Reflecting on the incident, Ocon noted the intense scrutiny he faced, particularly on social media. “When there is noise from all sides, it always means that something big has happened. And of course, there was too much noise, especially on social media,” Ocon recalled.
Despite the criticism, Ocon received support from within the Formula One community, including from Williams team principal James Vowles. “Of course it’s good to get support from the right people,” Ocon said, emphasizing the positive impact of such gestures. Ocon addressed the situation on social media, a move he felt was necessary. Despite the controversy, he admitted his mistake: “I made a mistake coming out of the corner. I didn’t leave enough space on the exit. But the attempt itself wasn’t bad. It was the exit that was too narrow. Yes, I misjudged the distance there.”
Given his dissatisfaction with Alpine, Ocon’s move to Haas F1 in 2025 seems logical. He aims to bring his experience and lessons learned to the new team. “I don’t know if it’s good to be a team leader, but I’m going to get involved, I’m going to try. I will try not to miss any detail, and I will pass on everything that I think is important to improve,” Ocon stated. He stressed the importance of promptly addressing issues, a lesson from his time at Alpine. “You don’t have to wait a year for something to happen because things take time to develop, things take time to be created,” he pointed out. Ocon’s proactive stance is aimed at ensuring that his feedback is taken seriously and promptly acted upon, avoiding the frustrations he faced at Alpine.
Esteban Ocon’s candid remarks highlight the critical role of communication and responsiveness within a Formula One team. While his time at Alpine is coming to an end, his experience underscores the importance of heeding driver input in a highly competitive sport. As Ocon transitions to Haas F1, he is eager to start anew with the hope that his feedback will be valued, potentially leading to greater success for the team.
