Esteban Ocon was involved in a multi-car crash at the start of the Qatar GP (Photo: Getty)
Esteban Ocon has been dropped by Alpine with just one race of the Formula 1 season left following his heavy crash at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The French driver’s race was over before it began at the Losail circuit after he collided with Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and Williams’ Franco Colapinto at the first corner.
Ocon is set to join the Haas team next season but still had one more race with Alpine to go at next weekend’s finale in Abu Dhabi.
But speaking immediately after the race, he shockingly suggested that Qatar was actually his final grand prix with the French team, something that various sources including Sky Sports soon confirmed.
‘I would like to thank the team for, you know, their hard work over this race and their hard work over the whole year,’ the 28-year-old said.
‘When it’s going well, it’s good, you know, to stick together. But when it’s not going so well, the engineers and the mechanics stick together, and that’s the most important thing.’
‘Important to look ahead and see what we can prepare for the future.’
Ocon has raced his last race with Alpine (Photo: Getty)
Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan, who is replacing Ocon in 2025, is set to race in Abu Dhabi instead, making his F1 debut.
According to Sky Sports, the decision was pre-planned before Qatar, as Ocon wanted to take part in the post-season test at Yas Marina for his new team Haas.
Alpine have agreed with the request, but on the condition that he vacate his seat for Doohan early, meaning his season is finished, with Ocon currently 14th in the standings.
Jack Doohan will make his F1 debut in Abu Dhabi (Photo: Getty)
Ironically, Alpine and Haas are locked in a tight battle for sixth in the constructors’ championship, with the former just six points ahead.
It’s a sad end to Ocon and Alpine’s partnership, having driven for the team since 2020 when they were known as Renault, and recording their only victory to that with a sensational drive at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.
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