Ocon Informed of Alpine Departure Just Hours Before Qatar GP: Report
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New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) The decision made by Alpine to release Esteban Ocon prior to his concluding race with the team at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was communicated on race morning during the Qatar GP on Sunday.
According to reports from Motorsports.com, Alpine's choice to let Ocon go, as he prepares to join Haas for the upcoming season, was conveyed to him just a few hours before the Qatar GP commenced.
This adjustment allows Esteban to transition to Haas for the post-season testing in Abu Dhabi and provides an early opportunity for Jack Doohan to make his debut.
The French driver took to social media on Tuesday to share a heartfelt farewell message to the team he represented for four years. In his post, Ocon included a picture of his farewell helmet, which he had specially designed for the Abu Dhabi race but will not have the chance to wear.
“I apologize that I will not be able to come see you in person and have a proper farewell. As you know, the plan was always to race one last time this weekend and personally say goodbye to you all next week. I was looking forward to both of those things. This is not how I wanted things to end.
“That said, the world of F1 is small and I am sure I will see many of you again soon. I would also like to wish nothing but great things to my friend Jack as he takes this next big step in his career at this week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix,” Ocon expressed in his message.
Ocon joined the team in 2020, under the Renault brand, competing for the team in 156 Grand Prix races. He claimed his only victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, where he successfully held off four-time champion Sebastian Vettel for the win, in addition to securing three more podium finishes while racing alongside Daniel Ricciardo, Fernando Alonso, and Pierre Gasly.
“I depart from Alpine/Renault with cherished memories and the pride of having been the driver who achieved the team’s best results since its return to the sport, standing on the podium in Bahrain, Hungary, and Brazil.
“It was also a privilege to contribute to finishing P4 in the Constructors' Championship in 2022. I understand the significance of those moments for everyone involved, and the feelings of joy and accomplishment I experienced with the team are what I will carry with me,” he added.
