There were suggestions in Esteban Ocon’s recent remarks that he might have his sights set on a surprising opportunity with Mercedes in 2025.
Is Esteban Ocon hoping to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the F1 2025 season after his Alpine exit was confirmed?
It seems that the Frenchman hinted at this during his comments to the media, including PlanetF1.com, at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last month.
Esteban Ocon eyeing unlikely Mercedes F1 2025 shot after Alpine exit?
Additional reporting by Thomas Maher
Alpine announced on Monday that Ocon will leave the team at the expiry of his contract at the end of the F1 2024 season after five years with the Enstone-based outfit.
At the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, Ocon achieved his inaugural win in Alpine colors, while also securing podium finishes in Sakhir 2020 and Monaco 2023.
Ocon has announced his departure from Alpine and stated that he will soon finalize his Formula 1 plans for 2025. He is currently being linked to Haas, Williams, and Audi, with the latter set to take over the Sauber team in 2026.
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Ocon first joined Alpine (then Renault) for the 2020 campaign after spending the previous season as Mercedes’ reserve driver, with the 27-year-old a product of the Silver Arrows’ junior academy and having hired Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team boss, as his manager in 2015.
Earlier this year, Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion, made the announcement that he will be joining Ferrari on a multi-year contract starting from F1 2025. As a result, this leaves a position vacant alongside George Russell.
According to PlanetF1.com, Mercedes has shared their F1 2025 plans, which indicate that Carlos Sainz, the current Ferrari driver who will be replaced by Hamilton, is not being considered as a partner for Russell. Instead, the team is closely monitoring Max Verstappen’s situation at Red Bull.
If Verstappen is unavailable for F1 2025, it is believed that Mercedes may consider replacing Hamilton with their 17-year-old junior sensation, Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli, who recently started an extensive testing program, is being groomed for an F1 opportunity.
During an interview with media outlets, including PlanetF1.com at Imola, Ocon expressed his interest in potentially replacing Hamilton and emphasized that he still sees himself as a Mercedes junior driver.
He stated that his mindset as a Mercedes junior has remained unchanged in terms of management since 2015.
“We are engaged in extensive discussions, aiming to determine the optimal path for shaping my future.”
Before his departure from Alpine was confirmed, Ocon acknowledged that he is considering both long-term and short-term possibilities. He emphasized the urgency of resolving his future promptly, as he was left without a seat for 2019 after leaving Force India.
He clarified that there is a significant amount of activity occurring behind the scenes, involving both long-term and short-term plans.
My ultimate goal remains constant – to secure my position in Formula 1 as soon as possible. While the sport is known for its rapid changes, I understand the importance of early stability.
I would prefer to avoid experiencing the same financial consequences as I did in late 2018, as it was a negative experience that I do not wish to repeat. It is important to note that this outcome was not due to any shortcomings in my performance.
I believe that my performance this year, as well as throughout my years in F1, has been commendable. Therefore, I believe that I am deserving of a spot in the F1.
“We’ll see. Right now, my complete focus and dedication is on this team. I have been actively involved in this project for several years, and that is quite evident.”
“However, in the world of Formula 1, being without a deal is a rather gloomy aspect that I have never found pleasure in.”
“The sooner it is completed, the better it will be.”
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