F1 team axe driver just minutes after crashing out of Qatar Grand Prix
Today at 01:55 PM
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.’
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 as soon as possible.
More to follow…
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