27-year-old F1 driver is ‘very high up’ in the running for Audi seat

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Sauber Group CEO Andreas Seidl is closely assessing Alpine driver Esteban Ocon and the Frenchman is very high up in their thinking ahead of Audi’s introduction to Formula 1.

Audi are set to become the newest works team in F1 in 2026 and there are plenty of drivers, such as Valtteri Bottas, who are very keen on being involved in the project.

Writing on the Formula 1 website, journalist Lawrence Barretto shared what he’s heard about the 27-year-old’s future.

There are plenty of drivers who will be considering their futures in the coming months.

The 2024 driver’s market is set to be chaotic with so many racers out of contract and plenty of youngsters pushing to join the grid.

There is also the introduction of Audi to the grid to consider and Andreas Seidl is looking at Esteban Ocon as a potential option.

While he currently drives for a works team in Alpine, they underperformed in 2023 and there’s already a suggestion that their simulator work ahead of next season isn’t going well.

Ocon may be on the lookout for a new drive anyway, with Alpine reportedly considering dropping both him and Pierre Gasly heading into 2025.

Seidl assessing Ocon for potential Audi drive

Assessing Audi’s potential options, Barretto said: “While Alpine may be interested in keeping Ocon for another season, sources say Sauber-run Stake have the Frenchman very high up on their list as they prepare the operation to become Audi in 2026.

“He is one of a number of drivers CEO Andreas Seidl is believed to be assessing as he looks to morph the team first into a serial midfield contender and then an operation that can fight for podiums, wins and ultimately championships.”

Another driver that Seidl and Audi are considering alongside Ocon is Nico Hulkenberg.

The experienced German has already been reported as being in ‘pole position’ to take one of the two seats when Audi take over.

Ocon has a bigger future ahead of him than Hulkenberg and unlike his potential rival for the drive, has finished on the podium on several occasions.

What hasn’t been mentioned is the futures of current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.

While as explained above Bottas wants to stay with the team, his performances dipped last year.

The jury is still out on Zhou after back-to-back seasons scoring just six points.

It’s easy to see why Audi are looking at other options going forward, although last year’s car didn’t exactly give their drivers the best opportunity to shine.