The story between Esteban Ocon and Alpine is not a happy ending. The French driver's experience with the team ends early and unexpectedly: for the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi, the team decided to replace him with jack doohan. A decision that left Ocon bitter and led him to share a regretful message on social media, accompanied by the special helmet he would have liked to use to say goodbye to the team.
The end of a journey
After his crash at the start of the Qatar GP, Ocon had hinted that it would be his last race with Alpine, but the plan was to finish the season in Abu Dhabi. The sudden decision to exclude him changed everything, leaving him without the opportunity to say goodbye to the team on track.
In the post published on Social, Ocon expressed all his disappointment:
“I would first like to thank the mechanics and engineers […] who have raced alongside me over the past five seasons. We have shared so much together and I am proud to call many of you friends. I leave Alpine/Renault with great memories and the pride of having been the driver who brought the team the best results since its return to the sport, standing on the top two steps of the podium in Bahrain, Hungary and Brazil. It was also an honour to be part of the team’s fourth position in the Constructors’ Championship in 2022. I know how important all these moments were for everyone and feeling that sense of achievement and joy with the team is what I will take with me.”

A helmet for the farewell that will never happen
Ocon had prepared a special helmet to celebrate his five years with Alpine, a symbol of his bond with the team. However, his sudden departure prevented him from using it in the final race:
“It hasn’t been an easy year for the team and the second half of the season has been particularly difficult. For a number of reasons. I have no regrets, knowing that I gave 100% in every single session. As I always have. I apologise to the hundreds of hard-working men and women at Enstone and Viry, that I won’t be able to come and see you in person and say a proper goodbye. As you know, the plan was always to race one last time this weekend and say a personal goodbye next week. I was really looking forward to doing both. I didn’t want it to end like this.”
Despite the disappointment, Ocon wished the best to the young Jack Doohan, who will take his place:
“That said, the world of F1 is a small one and I’m sure I’ll be seeing many of you again soon. I’d also like to wish nothing but the best for my friend Jack, who takes the next big step in his career at this week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Thank you.”
A bitter ending
Alpine's choice, motivated by the desire to give Doohan experience in view of 2025, has put an end to a relationship that perhaps deserved a different epilogue. For Ocon, the farewell was a moment full of emotions, a mixture of gratitude for the shared successes and bitterness for not having been able to say goodbye to the team as he would have liked. Now the French driver looks ahead, ready to write a new chapter with Haas.