Esteban Ocon: Where will he go for the 2025 season?

In light of the events at the Monaco Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon publicly announced that he would depart from the Alpine F1 team at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season. The French driver has confirmed that the collision between him and teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco was not a deciding factor in his decision-making.

Due to his actions, he was to be benched for the Canadian Grand Prix and replaced by Jack Doohan, which is now proven false. But with Ocon free to explore alternate options, where will the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix winner want to go for the 2025 Formula 1 season?

Esteban Ocon to Haas? Seems like the logical choice

Currently at Haas, the Team Principal, Ayao Komatsu, has not disclosed his driver line-up for the 2025 season. Kevin Magnussen’s contract expires at the end of the 2024 season and Nico Hulkenberg has chosen to sign with Kick Sauber. Soon to be Audi, the German driver has put pen to paper on a two-year deal. All this means the American team has both seats available for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Ocon’s aggressive driving style and eagerness to prove himself could be seen as potential qualities for Haas to exploit. Given that the French driver will be the first-ever winner that Haas has ever signed.

However, under the new management of Ayao Komatsu, both current Haas drivers have been working in harmony to exploit every opportunity to score points for the team. Regardless of their actions, Kevin Magnussen has accumulated 10 penalty points. Only two away from a race ban in the bid to help his teammate score the most points for the team. Is this the sort of calibre that Haas wants to exploit with Ocon, with his aggressive and extreme driving style?

Aston Martin

As Aston Martin is set to retain Fernando Alonso up to the end of the 2026 season. As Ocon’s only chance at securing a seat at the Silverstone-based team would be if Aston Martin chose not to continue with Lance Stroll. But what makes Ocon’s chances at being signed in Lawrence Stroll, as Lawrence influences whom Aston Martin chooses to sign amongst their line-up. So it would be highly unlikely for Lawrence to sacrifice his son’s seat for another drive. With many drivers including Ocon that are available on the driver market, Lawrence has not chosen to explore alternative options since arriving at Aston Martin in 2021.

Kick Sauber

Kick Sauber currently has Nico Hulkenberg set to take the reigns at the end of the 2025 season. With current drivers, with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu both out of contract at the end of the 2024 season. The makes Esteban’s chances of joining the green team a lot slimmer as there remains competition for the seat with Carlos Sainz who has been rumnoured to join to the team during the transition to Audi. But if Kick Sauber were to sign Ocon to the team, the potential agreement could be made as a two-year deal. Due to Kick Sauber being rebranded to Audi for 2026. And as Audi has influence as to whom can be signed amongst the team, many rumours do point that Ocon is amongst the roster of Audi’s list of potential targets. To drive alongside Nico Hulkenberg.

Williams

As Williams is set to retain Alexander Albon for the foreseeable future, the fight for the second seat at Williams is hot on its heels. The main option for Williams currently is Carlos Sainz. As Team Principal, James Vowles has made his intentions clear that “the number 1 target is Carlos.” But for Esteban Ocon to make some attention to shift James Vowles’ decision-making is if Sainz chooses to negotiate with another team. Currently, at the moment it is looking pretty clear that Williams is after the Spaniard, but anything can change.

Visa Cash App RB

Just like Williams, Visa Cash App RB (VCARB) has one seat available as they have not issued Daniel Ricciardo but only Yuki Tsunoda. Extending his contract up to the end of the 2025 season. For Ocon to join the sister team of Red Bull would be one that is sought to be an enigma. As there has been no confirmation from Team Principal, Laurent Meckies about who will team up alongside the Japanese driver. Unfortunately, in the context of Daniel Ricciardo, he will need to prove himself soon as the intensity of the driver market is heating up. And it’s not just an opportunity for Esteban Ocon to prove his at VCARB, but also for other drivers on the market.

Conclusion

With so many driver seats still available amongst the Formula 1 grid, the opportunities for Ocon to sign are still great. But with so many teams securing their driver line up early in the season, Ocon must make haste in order to keep his aspirations in Formula 1 alive.

If you would like to learn more news about the world of Formula 1? Then why not check out “Red Bull: Perexz Extends! Tsunoda Stays at VCARB!” or “Canadian Grand Prix: Speed and Excitement in Montreal“

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