On Tuesday, Esteban Ocon posted an emotional message on social media. The French driver had to say goodbye to Alpine earlier than expected. After nearly five years, their collaboration comes to an end in Abu Dhabi. Reserve driver Jack Doohan, who will be in full-time action for the French team next year, is set to make his debut at the Yas Marina Circuit.
In a striking social media post, Esteban Ocon expressed that he would have ‘preferred a different ending’ to his collaboration with Alpine. “Above all, I want to thank the mechanics and engineers who have raced with me over the past five seasons,” he wrote. “We’ve been through so much together and I’m proud to call many of you my friends. I know how much all those special moments have meant to everyone – I will never forget that shared joy.”
Over the past five years, Esteban Ocon has stood on the podium four times, including one victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2021. The current season has been particularly challenging for Alpine, but a surprising double podium in São Paulo made up for a lot. “It hasn’t been an easy year for the team,” said Ocon. “Fortunately, I have no regrets, I gave everything in every session, as I always do.
Jack Doohan
“To the hundreds of hardworking men and women in Enstone and Viry-Châtillon, I apologize that I cannot visit you personally for a proper farewell,” he continued. “As you know, it was always the intention to race one more time this weekend and to bid you a personal farewell next week. I was very much looking forward to it. This is not how I imagined my farewell, I would have preferred it differently. That being said, the world of Formula 1 is very small. I am sure I will see many of you again soon.”
Finally, Esteban Ocon addressed Jack Doohan, the 21-year-old Australian who will replace him in Abu Dhabi and in the upcoming season. “I wish my friend Jack nothing but good things as he takes the next big step in his career this week,” he concluded. Ocon himself will make the move to Haas in 2025. There he will be joined by Oliver Bearman.
