Famin speaks out after Ocon-Alpine exit confirmed

Alpine team principal Bruno Famin has thanked Esteban Ocon for his "commitment" since joining in 2019, adding the team will "continue to work tirelessly" together for the rest of the campaign.

It has been announced the the 27-year-old will leave the French squad at the end of the 2024 F1 season, with his next destination yet to be confirmed. He was out of contract at the end of the year, and his deal will not be renewed.

There has been speculation throughout the early part of the year that Ocon would seek a move away from Alpine, with 'Team Enstone' having struggled since the start of the campaign. After eight rounds, the French driver and team-mate Pierre Gasly have just one point each.

However, since the much-covered first lap coming together between the two - which Ocon got the full blame and punishment for - rumours surrounding his Alpine future have stepped up a level. Now, it has been confirmed the one-time race winner will need to find a new home in F1, with Haas and the Audi project at Stake believed to be the most likely landing spots.

“We would like to firstly thank Esteban for his commitment to the team for the past five years," Famin said as the team announced Ocon's departure.

"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.”

As highlighted in Famin's comments, Ocon and Alpine tasted victory together - his first in F1, and the team's first in its current guise.

However, he has a reputation for fighting team-mates too hard at times, and that has led to concerns about his temperament, even if his ability is clear to see.

In the immediate wake of the incident at Monaco Famin reacted on live TV, chastising Ocon for his actions and warning there would be "consequences" for the driver.

That had led to suspicions the French driver would be benched for the Canadian Grand Prix - where he will serve a five-place grid penalty - but that did not transpire. 

The 27-year-old confirming he would race in Montreal in a social media post centred on the online abuse he has received in the aftermath of the collision with Gasly.