In a surprising turn of events, the 29-year-old Frenchman who stunned the F1 world by winning the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix is set to make a bold career move. Esteban Ocon, currently with Alpine, was originally slated to leave the team at the end of his contract in 2024. However, he has now announced that he will be joining MoneyGram Haas F1 Team for the 2025 season.
Ocon had been linked to several other teams, including Audi and Williams, but ultimately chose Haas. He will be partnering with highly regarded British Ferrari junior driver, Oliver Bearman. In a press release from Haas, Ocon expressed his excitement about this new chapter in his Formula 1 career. He praised the team’s ambition, work ethic, and positive trajectory, which had greatly impressed him.
The Frenchman also expressed gratitude towards Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for their trust and support. He mentioned their honest and productive discussions over the past few months. Ocon also shared a personal note, expressing happiness about working with Ayao again. He recalled their earlier collaboration during his Lotus Junior days over a decade ago. Ocon believes that MoneyGram Haas F1 Team has exciting plans and clear goals for the future. He eagerly looks forward to being part of this remarkable project and working with everyone involved in Kannapolis, Banbury, and Maranello.
Ocon’s journey to Formula 1 has been filled with ups and downs. After witnessing his Formula 3 rival, Max Verstappen, make the jump to F1 in 2015, Ocon patiently waited for his own opportunity. It finally came in 2016 when he replaced Rio Haryanto at Manor for the Belgian GP. Ocon’s connections as a Mercedes junior driver helped secure him a full-time drive with Force India in 2017, alongside Sergio Perez.
In his debut season at Force India, Ocon made a strong impression. He finished in the points in every race except for two, achieving a remarkable fifth-place finish at both the Spanish and Mexican GPs. However, his second season with the team was plagued by early race incidents and financial troubles. Force India went into administration, jeopardizing hundreds of jobs. Despite a successful takeover by Lawrence Stroll, Ocon’s position with the team remained uncertain. Nevertheless, he managed to secure a fantastic third-place starting position at the Belgian GP.
After Lance Stroll took his seat at the rebranded Racing Point team, Ocon spent 2019 as a reserve driver for Mercedes, ready to step in if needed. He made his return to the F1 grid in 2020 with Renault, but struggled to match the pace of his teammate, Daniel Ricciardo. However, Ocon’s perseverance paid off when he clinched his first podium finish with a second-place result at the Sakhir GP.
With Ricciardo’s departure to McLaren for the 2021 season, Fernando Alonso returned to F1 and became Ocon’s partner at Alpine. Ocon had a strong start to the season, scoring points in four of the first five races. This performance impressed the Renault group, leading to a contract extension until 2024.
Ocon’s journey in Formula 1 has been filled with challenges and triumphs. Now, with his move to MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, he is ready to take on the next chapter in his career. Fans eagerly anticipate seeing what he can achieve with his new team in the upcoming seasons.
Ocon’s Triumph at the Hungarian GP
In a stunning display of skill and determination, Esteban Ocon secured his first-ever Formula 1 victory at the chaotic Hungarian Grand Prix. The race was marred by multiple incidents at the start, but Ocon managed to navigate through the carnage and move up into second place. Making a strategic decision to switch to slick tires before the restart, Ocon seized the opportunity to overtake Lewis Hamilton and take the lead. Despite facing pressure from faster cars behind him, Ocon, with the help of his teammate Fernando Alonso’s brilliant defensive driving, held his ground and crossed the finish line in first place. Sebastian Vettel and Hamilton completed the podium, but it was Ocon’s moment of glory.
Alonso and Ocon’s Rocky Relationship
The relationship between Alonso and Ocon turned sour during the 2022 season. At both the Saudi Arabian and Hungarian Grands Prix, the two drivers clashed, costing each other valuable points. This ongoing rivalry reached its breaking point, leading to Alonso’s departure from the team in 2023. Alpine, in their quest for a replacement, turned to Pierre Gasly, a former karting rival of Ocon’s.
A Rollercoaster Season for Ocon and Alpine
In only their third race together, Ocon and Gasly collided at the Australian Grand Prix, resulting in a missed opportunity for Alpine to score crucial points. However, Ocon managed to salvage points in Saudi Arabia and Miami, and his impressive performance in Monaco saw him briefly hold the provisional pole position before finishing in third place. Unfortunately, off-track management issues overshadowed Alpine’s second half of the season, and the team’s lack of performance led to key personnel departures.
Ocon’s Departure from Alpine
Despite Ocon’s achievements, his relationship with Gasly reached a breaking point at Monaco when the two drivers made contact on the opening lap, forcing Ocon to retire from the race. This incident strained their partnership, and Ocon made the decision to leave Alpine at the end of the season. Currently sitting in 18th place in the driver’s standings with three points, Ocon is looking towards the future and exploring new opportunities.
Magnussen’s Uncertain Future
With Ocon’s arrival at Alpine, Kevin Magnussen’s future in Formula 1 hangs in the balance. The Danish driver, who had a promising start in the sport with a second-place finish on his debut for McLaren in 2014, has been considering his options in IndyCar and sportscars. Magnussen holds the distinction of being the team’s most successful driver, accumulating 109 points during his two stints with the team from 2017 to 2024. Notable highlights include a pole position at the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix and three fifth-place finishes, including his comeback race at the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Uncertain Futures for Other Drivers
Magnussen is not the only driver on the current Formula 1 grid whose future remains uncertain. Stake pair Zhou Guanyu, Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz, and Logan Sargeant of Williams are all awaiting confirmation of their positions for the upcoming seasons. As the sport continues to evolve, the fate of these drivers hangs in the balance.
