Alpine F1 Team in Turmoil: Ocon and Gasly Eye Exit Amidst Internal Chaos
Alpine’s F1 team is in disarray, with drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly reportedly considering leaving due to a season filled with internal firings and chaos. This development aligns with Alpine’s inconsistent performance in the 2023 season, where they scored points in only 12 out of 22 races.
Key Takeaways:
- Team Turbulence: Alpine’s 2023 season was overshadowed by major internal changes, including the departure of CEO Laurent Rossi, the sacking of team boss Otmar Szafnauer, and the exit of sporting director Alan Permane. These changes coincided with the team’s sixth-place finish in the constructors’ championship.
- Inconsistent 2023 Season: Alpine experienced a rollercoaster season, scoring in just over half of the races. Their best performance was at the Monaco Grand Prix, where they earned 21 points. However, the team failed to score in several key races, including those in Australia, Azerbaijan, Great Britain, Italy, and Abu Dhabi.
- Driver Dissatisfaction: Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, both under contract until the end of the next season, have expressed their desire to leave. They are reportedly exploring opportunities with other teams, signaling their reluctance to continue with Alpine.
Alpine’s F1 team experienced a season of upheaval and disappointment in 2023. The departure of key figures like CEO Laurent Rossi, team boss Otmar Szafnauer, and sporting director Alan Permane highlighted the team’s instability. This turmoil seems to have affected the drivers’ confidence and performance, contributing to Alpine’s sixth-place finish in the constructors’ championship.
The 2023 season was a mixed bag for Alpine, starting with a modest tally of 2 points in Bahrain and 6 in Saudi Arabia. However, they failed to score in Australia and Azerbaijan. A rebound in Miami with 6 points and a high of 21 points in Monaco did little to stabilize their season. Their struggles continued with zero points in races at Great Britain, Italy, and Abu Dhabi, as other teams advanced in development.
Amid this challenging environment, drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are reevaluating their futures with the team. Spanish F1 journalist Pedro Fermin reports, “The two Alpine drivers have the clear intention of leaving the team at the end of this year… Both Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly do not want to continue to suffer in Alpine and have given carte blanche to their representatives, to their managers, to start conversations with any team that wants to listen to them. Neither Gasly nor Ocon have confidence in the possibilities of the team, which is drifting. Both riders have expressed their will not to continue to be part of this Titanic, which is Alpine currently.”
The situation at Alpine raises speculation about potential team moves for Ocon and Gasly. While top teams may be out of reach, and options like McLaren and Aston Martin seem unlikely, there is buzz about Ocon potentially moving to Audi’s Stake F1 team in 2026, although this remains speculative. Audi’s entry into Formula 1 has attracted attention, with drivers like Carlos Sainz, Nico Hulkenberg, and Valtteri Bottas also being linked to the team.
The 2025 season could see an opening at Red Bull, but it’s expected to be filled internally. Aston Martin might emerge as a viable option, especially with Lance Stroll facing increasing pressure against teammate Fernando Alonso. The ongoing developments in the driver market continue to make the F1 landscape dynamic and unpredictable.
