He can stop by and say a 'proper' goodbye, says Alpine about the team's former choirs and Kevin Magnussen's replacement who was fired for the last lob.
Formula 1 team Alpine is sending a veiled jab at Kevin Magnussen's replacement at Haas, Esteban Ocon, following the Frenchman's early departure from the team.
Ocon was fired from Alpine before the final round of the season. It happened so the team could put reliever Jack Doohan in position for 2025.
However, Alpine believes 'Estie', as Ocon is called, may just drop by the team's factory in Enstone to say goodbye in 'more formal' circumstances.
The invitation comes from team boss Oliver Oakes, who explained the decision about Ocon's early exit with the fact that the team would rather focus on the future.
– Esteban has had a big role in the team, both in previous seasons and during my short time as team manager. He is welcome to come and say a proper goodbye.
Earlier in the season, however, Ocon expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the collaboration ended.
– This was not how I wanted things to end, said the Frenchman after his final lob for Alpine in Qatar.
According to Oakes, the decision to end the partnership early gave Alpine the opportunity to test their 2025 rider, Jack Doohan, in a lob context. The team calls it a strategic decision.
– Getting Jack in the car earlier is a big advantage when we look at next year, says the team manager.
Although no direct criticism of Ocon was offered, the timing of his departure and the focus on his replacement could be seen as a veiled jab at the former chorister. Kevin Magnussen, who by all accounts will get a new but different contract with Haas, has not commented on the situation.
Alpine and Ocon both seem to have set their sights on the future, but the circumstances surrounding the end of the collaboration leave the impression that the relationship between them had worn out.
