Alpine prioritizes ‘professionalism’ over harmony in Ocon replacement hunt

Alpine will prioritize “professionalism” over having two friendly drivers as it looks for a replacement for Esteban Ocon, rather than simply pairing two drivers with a good relationship.

Canadian GP

Before the Canadian Grand Prix, Ocon and Alpine announced they would part ways at the end of 2024, following a first-lap collision with teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco.

Although the combustible nature of Ocon and Gasly’s relationship was well known, they had pledged to work together for the team’s benefit at the start of 2023. However, during their 18 months as teammates, they have had various run-ins, with the Monaco clash being one of them.

Team principal Bruno Famin is working on finding an Ocon successor, with the team hoping to retain Gasly despite a difficult start to the season.

In an interview with Skt F1, Famin said his priority is not to find two drivers who will get along to avoid a repeat of the Ocon-Gasly dynamic, but rather to secure professional drivers willing to collaborate.

“I don’t think the relationship is important, professionalism is key,” Famin said. “We need professional drivers. Part of the driver’s job is to work with their teammate to get the best result for the team.”

Famin mentioned reserve driver Jack Doohan as one of the candidates under consideration. The young Australian got a chance to drive in FP1 in Montreal, taking Ocon’s car, but rain prevented him from getting much running.

Bruno Famin, Team Principal, Alpine F1 Team

Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images

Doohan finished third in last year’s F2 championship and isn’t racing competitively this year, but has tested previous Alpine Formula 1 cars.

Williams pair Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, as well as Alpine’s WEC driver and Mercedes F1 reserve Mick Schumacher, have also been linked to the Alpine seat, though the German is considered less likely.

“I think he’s definitely a good option. Jack is an option. We’re preparing for him. He did a test recently in Austria, and he had quite a heavy program – we were very happy with that. Let’s see how he progresses. He’s one of the many possibilities, but certainly a candidate,” Famin added.

Ocon explained that his relationship with Famin hasn’t soured despite the team boss’s angry criticism of the Frenchman’s performance in Monaco during a Canal+ interview.

“I’ve spoken to Bruno; I was doing my normal preparations at the factory before the weekend and also spoke with Bruno. We talked a lot,” Ocon said. “There’s no awkwardness, there’s no degradation in our relationship at all. Everything has been discussed, and we move on, we keep racing, and we try to do the best we can.”

Additional reporting by Jonathan Noble

Translation by Chloe