Bruno Famin shares the moment he knew it was ‘time to change’ Esteban Ocon at Alpine

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Esteban Ocon is leaving Alpine at the end of the 2024 season to join midfield rivals Haas. Alpine confirmed his exit in June, and then Haas announced his arrival ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Ocon started his F1 career midway through the 2016 season as he slotted in at backmarkers Manor. His impressive performances earned him a promotion to Force India, which later became Racing Point and Aston Martin.

However, when new investor Lawrence Stroll placed his son Lance at the team, Ocon lost his drive and spent a year on the sidelines as Mercedes’ reserve. Renault offered him a lifeline for the 2020 season, and became Alpine a year later.

He would win his first Grand Prix in their colours in Hungary in 2021, and collect another podium at the 2023 Monaco GP. But the relationship is coming to an end in the midst of Alpine’s poorest campaign to date.

They enter the summer break eighth in the championship with just 11 points on the board. Ocon has been responsible for five of those, with Pierre Gasly providing the other six.

Alpine took a chance by fielding the French duo. Ocon and Gasly fell out over a karting race as youngsters, and their relationship has been strained since.

Bruno Famin says Monaco GP was tipping point for Esteban Ocon at Alpine

There have been occasional flashpoints in the Alpine partnership, most notably the collision at the 2023 Australian GP that took both cars out of the race. In Monaco this year, Ocon hit Gasly with a risky lunge at Portier on the first lap.

Ocon couldn’t continue after his A524 was dramatically launched, while Gasly needed significant repairs. A red-flag period allowed the mechanics to mend Gasly’s car and he eventually scored points, but Alpine were still furious.

Bruno Famin warned Ocon there would be consequences, with talk of a remarkable one-race suspension. Ocon then confirmed that he would be in the car as planned for the Canadian GP.

While Alpine insisted that their subsequent parting of ways was unrelated to the incident, Famin offered a different version of events in his interview for Beyond The Grid. He’s leaving his post as team principal to work elsewhere in the business.

“It was the visible part of the iceberg in Monaco but it was the evidence that it was time to change for both parties,” Famin said. “We need [a good] dynamic in the team.

“We need to change instability. You cannot be so stable like that and you need to bring new ways, new ideas.

“A new driver would bring new things and having a different environment will enable him [Ocon] to improve certain things. I’m 100% sure it will be good for everybody.”

Esteban Ocon admits Fernando Alonso may have been right about Alpine

Ocon will take on a team leader role at Haas next season alongside the rookie Oliver Bearman. It will be the first time he’s occupied such a senior position.

Haas are the smallest team on the F1 grid, but they’ve nearly tripled Alpine’s points haul for the season (27). Ocon may see more potential in their project.

Indeed, the Enstone outfit are sacrificing their works team status. Alpine have agreed to run Mercedes power units, likely from 2026.

As a result, the engine staff at Viry could go on strike. For a departing driver, this upheaval offers vindication.

Ocon says Alpine didn’t listen to Fernando Alonso during his two-year stint, just as they’ve overlooked his feedback. This has left them dealing with the same problems for multiple years.