Formulation One F1 – Qatar Grand Prix – Lusail Worldwide Circuit, Lusail, Qatar – December 1, 2024 Alpine’s Esteban Ocon automotive is towed away after crashing throughout the race. REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
Esteban Ocon didn’t get the prospect to thank his former co-workers in particular person, so he took to social media to take action on Tuesday.
Ocon, who has signed a multi-year deal to race for Haas starting in 2025, had anticipated to shut out this Formulation 1 season with Alpine. Nevertheless, the group determined to get a jump-start on subsequent yr, giving his substitute Jack Doohan the trip for the season-ending race at Abu Dhabi.
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Ocon was pressured to retire from the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday following a crash within the first nook of the opening lap. It turned out to be the 28-year-old’s closing trip for Alpine after 4 seasons.
READ: Esteban Ocon to go away Alpine at finish of 2024 F1 season
“I want to firstly thank the mechanics and engineers throughout all capabilities on the observe, Enstone and Viry-Chatillon who’ve raced alongside me these final 5 seasons,” Ocon posted on Instagram.
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“We have now shared a lot collectively, and I’m proud to name a lot of you my pals. I go away Alpine/Renault with nice reminiscences and the pleasure of getting been the driving force who introduced the group’s finest outcomes since its return to the game, climbing the highest two steps of the rostrum in Bahrain, Hungary and Brazil.
“It was additionally an honor to play a component in ending P4 within the Constructors’ Championship in 2022. I understand how a lot all of these moments meant for everyone and feeling that sense of accomplishment and pleasure alongside the group is what I’m taking away with me.”
Ocon signed in July with Haas, and the Frenchman will now get to participate in postseason testing together with his new group subsequent week. He finishes this season with simply 23, as Ocon sits 14th within the driver’s standings.
READ: F1 driver Esteban Ocon to hitch Haas from subsequent season
Ocon’s seat will now go to the 21-year-old Australian, with Doohan set to make his F1 debut at Abu Dhabi.
“It has not been a straightforward yr on observe for the group and the second a part of the season has been particularly tough,” Ocon wrote. “For numerous causes. I don’t remorse a single factor realizing I gave it 100% each single session. Like I at all times have.
“To the a whole bunch of hard-working women and men at Enstone and Viry, I apologise that I will be unable come see you in particular person and have a correct farewell.
“As you realize, the plan was at all times to race one final time this weekend and personally say goodbye to you all subsequent week. I used to be trying ahead to each of these issues. This isn’t how I needed issues to finish.
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“That stated, the world of F1 is small and I’m positive I’ll see a lot of you once more quickly. I might additionally wish to want nothing however nice issues to my good friend Jack as he takes this subsequent large step in his profession at this week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. MERCI THANK YOU.” –Discipline Degree Media
