Having been replaced by Alpine for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon insisted “this is not how I want things to end.”
Ocon has been dropped in favour of Jack Doohan, who was set to replace him in 2025.
The move will enable Doohan to make his F1 debut now instead of at his home race, the Australian Grand Prix next year.
It also frees up Ocon to test for Haas, who he is joining next year, at the test which follows the race at the same venue next week.
In a post to his social media channels on Tuesday, Ocon revealed he already had a special race helmet made featuring a goodbye message to the team he joined in 2020.
Ocon claimed Alpine’s first and so far only F1 victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix the following year and helped the team claim a remarkable double podium with teammate Pierre Gasly at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in November.
“I would like to first and foremost thank the mechanics and engineers across all functions at the track, Enstone, and Viry-Châtillon who have raced alongside me these last five seasons,” he wrote on social media.
“I leave Alpine Renault with great memories and the pride of having been the driver who brought the team’s best results since its return to the sport, climbing the top two steps of the podium in Bahrain, Hungary, and Brazil. It was also an honour to play a part in finishing P4 in the Constructors’ Championship in 2022.
“I know how much all of those moments meant for everybody and feeling that sense of achievement and joy alongside the team is what I am taking away with me”.
Having struggled for form at the end of the season, Ocon left a cryptic message about why his form has been up and down.
“It has not been an easy year on track for the team and the second part of the season has been especially difficult. For various reasons.
“I do not regret a single thing knowing I gave it 100% every single session. Like I always have.
“The hundreds of hard-working men and women at Enstone and Viry, I apologise that I will not be able come see you in person and have a proper farewell. As you know, the plan was always to race one last time this weekend and personally say goodbye to you all next week. I was looking forward to both of those things.
“This is not how I wanted it to end”.
Signing off, he sent a message of support to Doohan: “I would also like to wish nothing but great things to my friend Jack as he takes this next big step in his career at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.”
On Instagram, Alpine’s official account replied: “Forever engrained in the Team’s history. Thank you Esteban. Best of luck.
Source: www.espn.com