Ocon Eyes Haas Amid Alpine Turmoil and Future Uncertainty
Jun.17 - Esteban Ocon is not ready to confirm that his Formula 1 future looks secure for 2025.
The Frenchman's relationship with Alpine has soured just as his contract is set to expire, but he is being strongly linked with a move to Haas to replace Nico Hulkenberg.
However, Ocon said at Le Mans as he supported Alpine's world endurance championship team featuring Mick Schumacher: "In Formula 1, you never know."
Haas, though, openly admits that the 27-year-old is a "serious" option for 2025 and beyond.
It's likely that Ocon has been holding out for a better option, especially as Mercedes boss Toto Wolff heads his personal management. But Wolff declared in Montreal that "young drivers" are the future of Mercedes - a clear sign that it will be Kimi Antonelli, 17, who replaces Lewis Hamilton.
"As I said, you never know what will happen in Formula 1," Ocon is quoted as saying by Speed Week at Le Mans. "But I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead.
"I still have 15 races ahead of me this season, and it's important to do a good job and come to the races motivated, as I always have been, and to enjoy what I do."
He also insisted that despite being trackside at Le Mans, he is not thinking about a move into top-line endurance racing.
"My goal is Formula 1, that's clear," said Ocon. "That's where I enjoy being."
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Haas & Sauber are his only realistic options for a full-time drive next season, but whether one of them is more likely than the other is another matter, especially as the latter still depends on whether Sainz accepts Audi's offer.
Once again, merely mentioning a team that's been clearly heading towards Antonelli, with him being all but confirmed as Hamilton's direct successor for a little while already, not to mention Ocon hasn't even truly been a contender at any point since Hamilton's departure announcement in February.