Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move did not impact Alpine’s talks with Mercedes-managed Esteban Ocon

Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari has caused a lot of kerfuffle within Formula 1. Esteban Ocon could be one of the candidates to replace Hamilton since the Alpine driver is still managed by Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move did not impact Alpine’s talks with Mercedes-managed Esteban Ocon

Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon (Via IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton‘s bombshell move to Ferrari from 2025 onwards shook the entire F1 grid ahead of the 2024 season. Toto Wolff has multiple options to fill the seat, especially Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. Presently, Esteban Ocon is managed by Mercedes in Formula 1 and was also the reserve driver for the Brackley-based team previously.

Alpine boss Bruno Famin made it clear that the French team had no impact from Lewis Hamilton’s announcement. Previously, Pierre Gasly had shared his opinions over Hamilton’s move. Famin stated that Hamilton’s move to Ferrari wasn’t the reason for stirring conversations between the drivers and the team authorities about their future within the team. Additionally, the Frenchman highlighted that he was happy with the relationship between the drivers and him within the team.

We have not waited for Hamilton going to Ferrari to talk to our drivers, We are talking permanently to our drivers. I'm very happy with the relationship with have with them, with the communication we have with them, and the job they are doing. And we regularly talk to them, we talked before Hamilton and after.
Famin told motorsport.com.
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Apart from the drivers, Famin asserted that the team’s priority was performance and results rather than just the drivers. Additionally, the Frenchman highlighted that they were having a look at the drivers’ market to ensure that they have the best possible drivers in their arsenal. Hence, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly’s contracts will be expiring by 2025 and will need to be renewed soon.

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To be honest we all of course have a look on the drivers' market. We're on that, but there is no decision at all yet. And our priority is much more focused on developing the car and the team, and we are the confident with our drivers.

Esteban Ocon could potentially succeed Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes by 2025

However, Toto Wolff hasn’t finalized the successor to Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes by the following season. Brackley will soon reveal the second driver to be paired up with George Russell in the team from next year. Hene, amidst this, Esteban Ocon could be one of the potential candidates for the seat in one of the best teams on the F1 grid.

Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon (via imago)
Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon (via imago)

At the moment, Ocon doesn’t have a contract beyond 2024. Hence, the Frenchman would be looking to hold talks with teams for his future in the sport. The Mercedes-managed driver could consider joining Brackley and replacing Hamilton as the Silver Arrows would be a better opportunity than Alpine.

Regardless of the developments for the next season, the 2024 season is just under a month away. Hence, Esteban Ocon’s team prepares for the challenges in the upcoming season with the chassis and racing suit already revealed. Alpine would showcase major improvements in the season as the team took multiple learnings from the previous season.

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