Ocon posts Alpine F1 farewell statement

Esteban Ocon has posted a farewell statement to Alpine and all the team's employees, following his immediate departure from the outfit. 

It was quickly discovered after his early retirement in the Qatar Grand Prix that it was his final race for the Enstone-based team. 

Ocon retired on the opening lap after a first corner crash, following a collision caused by Haas' Nico Hulkenberg. 

The reason for Ocon's early Alpine departure is due to wanting to appear in the post-season Abu Dhabi test next week for Haas, who he will race for next year. 

In order for Alpine to release the Frenchman from his contract early, a compromise was made, with Jack Doohan to take Ocon's seat for the season finale.

In his statement to the French outfit who he spent four seasons with, Ocon outlined that the end of his Alpine career has not gone as planned. 

"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," Ocon wrote on X.

"We have shared so much together, and I am proud to call many of you my friends. 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. 

"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. 

"To 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 things to end. 

That said, the world of F1 is small and I am sure I will see many of you again soon. 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 this week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. MERCI THANK YOU."