Alpine block Ocon transfer to rival team - report

The Alpine F1 team has moved to stop the possibility of Esteban Ocon joining a rival team as early as this year, according to a report.

Ocon is due to leave the Enstone-based squad at the end of the current campaign, bringing an end to his five-season stint with the team.

But according to the Italian branch of Motorsport.com, Williams has tried to take advantage of the situation between Ocon and Alpine as they head towards an exit.

It is reported that the Grove-based squad attempted to bring Ocon to the team with immediate effect as a replacement for Logan Sargeant.

Sargeant, who is currently in his second F1 season with Williams, is struggling for form and has been heavily linked with an exit from the team.

During the British Grand Prix weekend, Williams team principal James Vowles presented the situation to Ocon, who reacted positively to the news.

According to the report, Ocon is said to have already visited the factory in Grove to have a seat fitting.

However, Alpine moved to block the potential early switch, likely due to it being in contention with Williams in the constructors' championship.

Alpine is currently eighth in the standings, just five points ahead of Williams. The difference of finishing one position higher in the pecking order means more than $17 million in prize money, leaving Alpine reluctant to let their driver leave for a direct rival.