Alpine discusses terms to terminate Ocon's contract

Alpine confirmed on Sunday evening at Losail that a premature separation with Esteban Ocon was indeed under consideration. The prospect of starting Jack Doohan in place of the Frenchman at the next Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, is a reality but requires progress on the contractual level in the coming hours.

Director of the Enstone team, Oliver Oakes assures that the final decision has not yet been made, although the trend could not be clearer. The file is, however, legally “complex“.

“There was a discussion, there is no definitive answer yet, but we talked about it”explains the Briton. “It's a bit complex because even if it [Esteban Ocon] is with us, he is also a Mercedes junior driver, and it is obvious that he would also like to be released early. I think it comes from all sides.”

“I think we can say that it's a good thing to start Jack earlier, that for Esteban it's good to move on earlier. I think it suits everyone. The discussion is Quite natural, honestly, Esteban has played an important role in this team and, on both sides, it suits everyone.”

It can be said that [les désaccords antérieurs] play a role.

Oliver Oakes does not hide the influence of the deterioration of relations between Esteban Ocon and the team, particularly since the controversy at the Monaco Grand Prix, without however relating everything to it. The team director is awaiting developments in the matter in the light of discussions which should involve Flavio Briatore, Alpine's executive advisor, and Toto Wolff, Mercedes director.

“We can say that [les désaccords antérieurs] play a role”he admits. “But I really think that it is above all a natural evolution, he will move on to something else. Does it suit us to do it before the last Grand Prix or not? On the other hand, we can think that It’s an advantage to bring Jack into the team earlier to work with everyone.”

“I think it probably suits everyone and it needs to be discussed. That doesn't mean it needs to be confirmed [à ce stade]. Toto and Flavio have a very good relationship, I'm sure they will do what is good for each other.”

Directly asked about the contractual issue of the situation, Toto Wolff recalled that the commitment with Alpine for the services of the French driver “expires at the end of the year”.

“Then, if we agree that, for the sake of the future, the best solution is to allow Esteban to prepare earlier and better for Haas, and that this is linked to whether he drives at Abu Dhabi, so this is something we discussed today and we will discuss again tomorrow.”