P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Esteban Ocon stepping down from his planned final Formula 1 race with Alpine is connected to him being allowed to test for his new team Haas, The Race has learned
Esteban Ocon’s decision to step down from his final Formula 1 race with Alpine is related to his opportunity to test for his new team Haas, as reported by The Race. Ocon’s dissatisfaction with his current season at Enstone led to the early departure following the Qatar Grand Prix incident and performance gap with teammate Pierre Gasly. Despite implying that the performance gap was not solely due to his driving skills but also the equipment provided by Alpine, the team denied these claims. Jack Doohan, Alpine’s reserve driver with a contract until 2025, is expected to replace Ocon for the Abu Dhabi race to benefit the team in the long run. Although this decision may affect Alpine’s point-scoring potential, the team prioritizes their current standings battle against Haas and RB. Ocon’s cooperation with the early switch is crucial to secure his upcoming test debut with Haas, with Alpine still retaining control over his participation. Mercedes manager Toto Wolff mentioned the contractual obligations with Alpine and the consideration of Ocon’s readiness for Haas in their decision-making process.
