Alpine and Ocon about to anticipate their breakup

The rumor that is growing in the Losail paddock tends to gain strength, as the Qatar Grand Prix ended this Sunday evening. In all likelihood, this was Esteban Ocon's last appearance in the colors of the Alpine team.

According to several reports, since confirmed by Motorsport.comthe French driver should give way to his successor Jack Doohan next weekend in Abu Dhabi. The Australian will hold the position alongside Pierre Gasly next year and will thus be able to prepare for his arrival earlier than expected.

Esteban Ocon would thus end his adventure with Alpine with a retirement, after his clash from the start with Franco Colapinto, provoked by Nico Hülkenberg. If the news were to be confirmed in the coming hours, the French driver would not be on vacation, since he has obtained authorization to participate in end-of-season testing at Yas Marina with his future team, Haas, in ten days.

Asked about his approach to adopt for the last race of the season, Esteban Ocon responded to Canal+ after a very long gap: “It's like…”he said after having already thanked his engineers and mechanics for their work “all year round”.

This anticipated separation would end a very difficult season for Alpine, and more particularly for Esteban Ocon, who went through difficult times after the collision with his teammate at the Monaco Grand Prix. The Enstone structure has since undergone several upheavals, under the leadership of its new executive advisor, Flavio Briatore.

Winner of the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2021 with Alpine, Esteban Ocon scored a final podium by finishing second in Brazil, thus putting the team back in the race for sixth place. Since Las Vegas, and this weekend in Losail, he has however displayed a level of performance very far from that of Pierre Gasly, without ever having questioned the team but leaving doubt as to possible unfair treatment concerning the material.