Monday’s F1 news brings some major developments, starting with Esteban Ocon’s confirmed departure from Alpine at the end of the 2024 season. In addition, Red Bull’s suspension secrets are now in the hands of rivals Mercedes and Ferrari.
Esteban Ocon will be leaving Alpine after five seasons with the team, during which he achieved his first F1 victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. Although the recent collision with teammate Pierre Gasly at the Monaco Grand Prix may have raised eyebrows, it wasn’t a significant factor in the decision to part ways.
Ocon was reportedly informed about the non-renewal of his contract after a simulator session at the Enstone factory last Thursday. Team principal Bruno Famin delivered the news in person, a conversation that came just days after he had considered benching Ocon for the Canadian Grand Prix.
In another high-octane revelation, Ferrari and Mercedes have adopted Red Bull’s innovative suspension trick for the 2024 season. The solution, crucial in the ground-effect era, is said to be even better in Ferrari’s adaptation. This innovation has been a cornerstone of Red Bull’s success since the new regulations were introduced in 2022, linking the track surface with the car’s detailed underbody to generate significant downforce.
George Russell has hinted that Max Verstappen might take a sabbatical in 2026 to evaluate his options with the new regulations coming into play. Russell mentioned, ‘I wouldn’t be at all surprised’ if Verstappen took a year off to assess the competitive landscape.
Lewis Hamilton has openly discussed his ongoing struggles with the Mercedes W15, saying in a podcast, ‘Right now! At the moment, it’s every second,’ when asked about when he feels most in conflict with his car. This comes during a challenging final season with Mercedes before his move to Ferrari in 2025.
With Esteban Ocon set to leave Alpine and Red Bull’s suspension trick now in the arsenal of key rivals, the 2024 F1 season is shaping up to be full of intrigue and innovation.
Source: Planetf1
