Esteban Ocon’s departure from Alpine has sparked speculations about his future, especially with his recent comments about still considering himself a ‘Mercedes junior.’
Alpine confirmed that Ocon will leave the team at the end of the F1 2024 season after five years with the Enstone-based outfit. During his tenure, Ocon secured his first F1 victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, with additional podium finishes at Sakhir 2020 and Monaco 2023.
While discussing his departure, Ocon indicated that he would finalize his F1 2025 plans soon, amidst links to teams like Haas, Williams, and Audi. However, his recent remarks at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix suggest he might be eyeing Mercedes as a potential destination.
‘I’m still in my mind a Mercedes junior. The management side, that hasn’t changed since 2015. We are discussing a lot. We will decide what’s best for my future,’ Ocon stated. This comes at a crucial time, especially with Lewis Hamilton’s announcement of joining Ferrari from F1 2025, leaving a spot open alongside George Russell at Mercedes.
Mercedes is reportedly considering several options for 2025. They are not currently looking at Carlos Sainz, Hamilton’s replacement at Ferrari, but keeping an eye on Max Verstappen’s situation at Red Bull. If Verstappen is not available, 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli, part of Mercedes’ junior program, is a likely candidate. Ocon’s comments suggest he wants to be considered too.
Ocon, who joined Alpine (then Renault) in 2020 after being Mercedes’ reserve driver in 2019, emphasized the importance of securing his future quickly. ‘For sure, there’s a lot happening behind [the scenes], not only looking for a long-term deal but also the short term. Things can change quickly in Formula 1, but the important thing is to be secured as early as possible. That is a clear target of mine as always,’ he explained.
Recalling his past experiences, Ocon mentioned the tough period he faced at the end of 2018 when he was without a seat. He noted, ‘I don’t want to pay the price the second time like at the end of 2018, which was not a good memory. It was not for performance reasons. I think I’m doing a good job again this year and for the years that I’ve been in F1. So I deserve to have a place in F1.’
Despite his focus on finding a new team, Ocon remains dedicated to Alpine for the remainder of his contract. ‘At the moment, my head is fully into this team, is fully dedicated. I’ve been in the project for years, that is very clear,’ he articulated.
The uncertainty around Ocon’s future adds to the anticipation of the F1 ‘silly season’ as teams finalize their line-ups for the 2025 season.
Esteban Ocon’s departure from Alpine and his aspirations for a possible Mercedes seat have added a new layer of intrigue to the F1 driver market. His determination to secure a position quickly and his reference to past challenges highlight his dedication to staying in F1.
Source: Planetf1
