Esteban Ocon has indicated that he will reveal his next Formula 1 move "very soon."
As per the correct prediction of the renowned French publication L'Equipe, Alpine has now confirmed that the 27-year-old Frenchman will part ways with the team at the end of the season, ending a five-year partnership dating back to the Renault days.
This development follows team boss Bruno Famin's anger over the first lap collision between Ocon and his teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco just over a week ago, which led to speculation that Ocon might be benched for the upcoming race in Montreal.
However, Auto Motor und Sport journalist Joel Lischka reported that there were already rumours before the Monaco incident that "Alpine did not want to continue to work with Ocon."
Alpine, on the other hand, stated that the split was "agreed together" with Ocon.
The 2021 Hungarian GP winner is now being linked to a move to Haas for 2025, replacing Nico Hulkenberg, who is headed to Audi.
"It would be a good fit," commented Bild journalist Enrico Ahlig, "as Ocon is close friends with Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu."
"Both have known and respected each other since the days when Ocon was still a test driver at Renault," Ahlig added.
Ocon said late on Monday, "I will announce my plans very soon but, in the meantime, my full focus is on delivering on track for this team and having a successful remainder of the season."
Current Alpine reserve and prospective F1 rookie Jack Doohan, son of motorcycle legend Mick Doohan, is seen as the leading candidate to take Ocon's place.
France's L'Equipe reported, "Logic dictates that Alpine will do everything to keep Pierre Gasly as leader, with the hope of offering him a high-performance single-seater for 2026."
"But the market remains very vague around Red Bull, Mercedes, Sauber, Williams, Racing Bulls and Haas," L'Equipe added.
Regarding 21-year-old Australian Doohan, L'Equipe journalist Erik Bielderman said, "He is a protege of Flavio Briatore, who is joining as an advisor to the French team."
"Mick Schumacher is another option, but he's a Mercedes driver managed by Toto Wolff, just like Esteban Ocon. And there is a question about the young German on the driving side," Bielderman continued.
Bielderman also mentioned Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, Theo Pourchaire, and Yuki Tsunoda as other possible candidates for a move to Alpine for 2025.
