ALPINE have announced that driver Esteban Ocon will leave the team.
The Frenchman is set to depart at the end of the 2024 F1 season.
Ocon, 27, sees his his contract expire with his spot on the grid next year in jeopardy.
He became an Alpine driver four years ago and made history as their first driver to ever win a race.
His shock victory came at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2021.
Ocon also earned podium finishes at the Bahrain GP in 2020 and at the 2023 Monaco GP.
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His departure comes soon after he crashed into team-mate Pierre Gasly during this year’s race around the Principality.
Ocon was given a five-place grid penalty at the upcoming Montreal GP for the first round collision.
He has since received abuse online, which left him “saddened”.
On his departure, Ocon said: “It’s been a significant period of my life to be racing at this team in Formula One.
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“While I’ve been here for five years as a full-time racing driver, my professional career started at Enstone back when I was a teenager, so it will always be a special place for me.
“We have had some great moments together, some tough moments as well, and I am certainly grateful to everyone at the team for these memorable times.
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“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.”
Team Principal Bruno Famin said: “We would like to firstly thank Esteban for his commitment to the team for the past five years.
“During his time, we have celebrated some fantastic moments together, the best of which coming at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with a memorable race win.
“We still have 16 races to complete in 2024 together with a clear objective: to continue to work tirelessly as a team to push for the best on-track results.
“We wish Esteban the very best for the next chapter of his driving career when that moment comes.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
