“This is not how I wanted things to end” Esteban Ocon says goodbye to Alpine

following him Unofficial exit from Alpinehas-bound esteban ocon Have taken to social media where their frustration has become quite clear. The rapidly deteriorating relationship between the 28-year-old and Alpine came to an end at the Qatar Grand Prix, where he crashed at the first corner after a collision with Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and Williams’ Franco Colapinto.

With all of Ocon’s luggage already packed, the French team wasted no time in finally breaking away from the Frenchman, Announcing that Australian Jack Doohan will take his seat for the season finale in Abu Dhabi,

After spending the last five years together, one might have expected a touching montage or touching message from the team reflecting on the good times spent with Ocon. But no one. Alpine opted to keep its message short and sweet and bid farewell to the one-time Grand Prix winner with a paragraph.

The statement read, “The team would like to thank Esteban for his time at the team and he will remain a part of the team’s history achieving the first win for Alpine in Formula 1. We wish Esteban all the best for the future “

Fast forward to Tuesday, Ocon took to Instagram where he took a very different approach to his apparent departure.

“I would first like to thank the mechanics and engineers at all works at the track, Enstone and Viry-Châtillon, who have raced with me over the past five seasons,” he wrote.

“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 being the driver who brought the best results for the team since its return to the sport, climbing onto the top two steps of the podium in Bahrain, Hungary and Brazil.

“It was also an honor to play a role in finishing P4 in the Constructors’ Championship in 2022. I know how much those moments mean to everyone and the feeling of accomplishment and happiness I take with me to the team I am.” Me.”

Amidst the rather poignant sentiment of his message, an apologetic Ocon admitted that 2024 did not go to plan, saying, “It has not been an easy year on track for the team and the second half of the season has been particularly difficult . For various reasons.

“I have no regrets knowing that I gave 100% in every single session. Like I always have.”

However, Ocon apologized to those at the team’s UK and France bases and admitted he wished he could have said a “proper farewell” in person – taking a dig at his former employers in the process.

“As you know, the plan was always to race for the last time this weekend and say goodbye to all of you in person next week. I was waiting for both of those things,” he wrote.

When it came to Doohan, Ocon kept it classy, ​​taking the opportunity to wish his “friend” and replacement “nothing but great things.”

Ultimately, his final words to the team read simply: “Mercy. Thank you.”

The team responded, once again keeping it brief, commenting: “Ever marked in team history. Thanks Esteban. Best wishes.”

After a year away from the grid, during which he worked as the Silver Arrows’ reserve driver alongside his manager and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, Ocon returned to the then-Renault team the following season alongside Daniel Ricciardo. F1 returned.

Ocon wasted no time in taking full advantage of his fresh start, scoring his first F1 podium at the Sakhir Grand Prix, where he finished second behind Sergio Pérez. The following year he went a step further, winning the Hungarian Grand Prix after starting eighth, which was also the team’s first win since switching to Alpine branding that year.

2024 was fast approaching, and tensions were rising between the often divisive Ocon and Alpine, not least after his race-ending clash with teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco. And just two months later, Ocon announced he had reached an agreement to join Haas on a multi-year deal starting in 2025.

However, in what turned out to be a remarkable goodbye gift, Long-time rivals Ocon and Gasly give Alpine first double podium finish in Sao Paulo,

Looking ahead, it is now up to Doohan to make the most of this valuable Christmas gift, as he looks to ensure his sixth place in the Alpine Constructors’ Championship, ahead of Haas and RB. Following Sunday’s season finale, Doohan will remain at the Yas Marina Circuit to take part in the season-ending test.