Alpine looking for Ocon split resolution that “suits everyone”

Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes says an expected deal to replace Esteban Ocon with Jack Doohan for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is moving “in a direction that suits everybody” in their preparation for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Oakes stated that a decision had yet to be made on Ocon’s remaining future with the team, although the French driver is set to trade an early release to drive for Haas in the post-Abu Dhabi test with exiting his seat for the season finale.

This would allow Doohan to make his debut before 2025, giving him a full race weekend of experience as an F1 driver before next year’s season opener at his home Melbourne race.

Speaking about any potential talks, Oakes explained that it was complex in that both Alpine and Mercedes – which manages Ocon – would be involved, but hoped a suitable solution for everyone would present itself. 

“I think there’s been a discussion, there’s not been a definitive answer yet, but it has been talked about,” Oakes explained.

“It’s slightly complex because as much as he is ours, he’s obviously contractually a Mercedes junior driver as well, and obviously he’d like to be released early as well. 

“I think it comes from all sides really. I guess you could say it’s good to get Jack in early. I think you could say from Esteban’s side it’s good to move on early. I think it suits everybody. So I think the discussion is quite natural really.

“Honestly, Esteban’s been a big part of this team as well and, from both sides, it suits each other.”

Oakes suggested that the earlier dissatisfaction between Ocon and Alpine – which came to a head after a clash with Pierre Gasly in Monaco – had played its part in the relationship potentially ending early, but added that it was a “natural” evolution for Ocon to want to start work with his new team.

He reckoned that talks over Ocon’s future between Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff and Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore should be relatively straightforward.

He said: “I think you could say that [earlier disagreements have] a part to play. But I think really the bigger part is sort of a natural evolution really, he’s moving on [next year].

“Does it suit both of us to do it just a bit earlier for the last round or not? And from the other side, you could look at it as it’s advantageous to get Jack in the team working with everybody and get those butterflies gone now rather than next year in Australia somewhat.

“I think really it’s probably that it just seems to suit everybody, and let’s have a discussion on it. It doesn’t mean it needs to be confirmed either way. I think Toto and Flavio have a really good relationship, so I’m sure they’ll do what’s right for each other there.”

Wolff explained that there would be further discussions with Alpine on Monday to decide Ocon’s fate.

“I think first of all there’s a contractual relationship that Esteban and we have with Alpine on driver services and that contract expires at the end of the year. That’s the basis. 

“And then if you agree that, for the benefit of the future, there’s a better solution that allows Esteban to get ready early and better for Haas – and if that depends on driving or not in Abu Dhabi – this is something we discussed today and we’re going to talk about it tomorrow.”