'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
According to recent reports, Williams picked Esteban Ocon to replace Logan Sargeant mid-season after the British GP. However, Alpine VP Bruno Famin did not approve the move.
Ocon's contract with Alpine is set to expire at the end of the current F1 season and the team will not be signing an extension. This was announced days after the Monaco GP where Ocon was involved in an incident with his teammate Pierre Gasly.
Although the French driver has proven himself to be competitive in multiple instances, his future is currently undecided. He was associated with many teams and Williams was one of them. A recent report from Motorsport Italy suggests that the latter was prepared to sign Ocon, replacing Logan Sargeant midway through the season, but Alpine didn't agree.
Trending
Williams have only scored four points in the season so far, all coming from Alex Albon. Sargeant has scored only one race point since his F1 debut in 2023. With his consistently disappointing performances, the team is looking forward to replacing him, and team principal James Vowles had a conversation with Esteban Ocon in Silverstone.
He was planning to sign him and he could drive for the team in Hungary. Apparently, Esteban Ocon also accepted the offer to partner Albon in the team, however, Bruno Famin declined. This was because Alpine and Williams are in direct competition right now and even though Ocon won't be a part of the team next year, giving him to their rivals could result in a loss.
Esteban Ocon's ties with Haas become stronger as Kevin Magnussen axed for 2025
Kevin Magnussen has served as the Haas F1 team's longest-serving driver with 135 race starts. With 12 more races to go in the season, the team announced that they would not be continuing with him in the future.
This will give the American outfit a completely new driver lineup for the 2025 season. They recently signed F2 driver Oliver Bearman for 2025. With Magnussen gone, the team has another vacant seat.
Speculations have emerged suggesting Esteban Ocon will sign with the team shortly. In the current circumstances, Haas have performed much better than Alpine. They have scored 27 points in the season so far meanwhile the latter are stuck with just nine.
2025 is set to be the last season with the current F1 regulations. The season after that will witness completely new cars, giving teams a blank canvas to work on with. This could provide close competition within the field, giving the French driver a good opportunity to showcase his drivecraft.
