Ocon aims for a prompt switch to Williams, frustrated by Alpine’s long-standing disregard for driver input.
Esteban Ocon has renewed his criticisms of Alpine F1 as he sought an early exit from the team before the season’s end.
Amid on-track clashes and off-track disputes with his fellow French teammate Pierre Gasly this year, and behind-the-scenes issues with team management, Ocon and Alpine announced in early June their split for 2025.
However, it has now emerged at the Hungarian GP that Ocon recently visited Williams team headquarters for a seat fitting.
The plan was for Ocon to immediately replace the struggling Logan Sargeant at Williams—to aid the team in catching up to Alpine F1 in the constructors’ standings.
Unsurprisingly, Alpine has refused to release Ocon from his 2024 contract—it’s out of the question to aid a rival team! Yet, a Williams seat for the Frenchman post-summer break remains a possibility.
In light of these developments, Ocon has stressed that many of Alpine’s issues this year stem from the team’s long-standing refusal to listen to its drivers on how to enhance performance.
“There are many things that haven’t been done as they should have been,” he stated in Budapest. “We (the drivers) have all said things about car development. Many problems were already present a few years ago.”
Meanwhile, despite these new ties with Williams, Ocon is reportedly more likely to join Haas F1 next year, replacing Kevin Magnussen if paddock rumours in Hungary are to be believed…
But the transfer market surely still holds many surprises…
Update: Contacted by us, Williams F1 confirmed Ocon’s presence at their factory, particularly to check if the Frenchman’s size could fit the cockpit dimensions. However, there is no question of an immediate replacement during the season or even a signing for 2025. Ocon is expected to join Haas F1, with the announcement anticipated next week, before the Belgian GP.
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Ocon Plans Swift Switch from Alpine F1 to Williams Ocon Plans Swift Switch from Alpine F1 to Williams
