Esteban Ocon has expressed no satisfaction over Alpine’s difficulties during the 2025 Formula 1 season, as the team remains at the bottom of the constructors’ championship ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. Despite shifting to Haas this year, Ocon continues to reflect soberly on the challenges faced by his former team amid ongoing internal turmoil.
Alpine’s Troubles Both On and Off the Track
The Alpine F1 team has battled more than just poor race results this season; internal instability has compounded their struggles. A driver swap, changes in team leadership including a new team principal, and the departure of a widely recognized CEO have all contributed to an unsettled environment throughout 2025.
Ocon’s exit from the Enstone-based team came under unusual circumstances, with the French driver choosing to leave due to differing goals and visions for the future.
Ocon Opens Up About His Decision to Leave
Ocon explained his reasons for departing Alpine clearly, emphasizing that it was not an easy decision.
“You never smile to see someone struggling. To me, it was very clear that I wanted to come here for a very long time,”
he said. Reflecting on the situation, he added,
“I took my decision, it was clear that we were not aiming for the same things with the team, and that I needed a new challenge, because we were not going to go forward together. We didn’t agree on so many things.”
Ocon’s Perspective on Alpine’s Current Performance
Despite Alpine’s current position in the standings, Ocon acknowledged that their struggles might not last much longer, noting their past performances show potential for recovery.
“And, yeah, they’ve been quick in Bahrain and some of the tracks. They are going to be working on themselves as well. In one race, you can recover the deficit that you have. So even though they are last now, it doesn’t mean that this is where they will finish.” —Esteban Ocon
End of Tenure and New Beginnings at Haas
Ocon’s departure from Alpine was marked by his absence from the final race of the previous season in Abu Dhabi, allowing him to test for his new team, Haas, during the post-season trials at Yas Marina Circuit. Despite the difficult exit, Ocon maintains a heartfelt connection to Alpine.
“As I said, Alpine will always remain a special place in my heart, having the winning car at home and what we’ve achieved together, but for sure, we will erase the late part of my career there.” —Esteban Ocon
He also expressed satisfaction with his current position, stating,
“So, we need to keep an eye on everyone and do the best we can on our side. But yeah, I definitely feel good here.”
Strong Start to 2025 Season with Haas
This season, Ocon has made a promising start at Haas, accumulating 22 points so far. His move represents a fresh challenge after parting ways with Alpine, where both the team’s performance issues and leadership instability weighed heavily on him during his final year.