Ocon and Alpine announced before the Canadian Grand Prix that they would go their separate ways after the 2024 season due to a clash with teammate Pierre Gasly at Monaco.
Ocon and Gasly have had a well-known troubled relationship, but they promised to work together for the team when they started as teammates in early 2023.
However, they have been involved in several incidents during their 18 months together, with the Monaco clash being the latest.
Team principal Bruno Famin is now looking for a replacement for Ocon while also trying to keep Gasly for 2025 despite a tough start to this season.
Speaking to Sky F1, Famin said his main goal was not to find two drivers who already get along to avoid problems like Ocon and Gasly’s, but to sign “professional” drivers who are willing to work together.
“I think the relationship between drivers isn’t as important as their professionalism. We need drivers who are professional,” Famin said.
“They need to collaborate. It’s part of their job to work well with their teammate to benefit the team.”
Famin mentioned that reserve driver Jack Doohan was being considered for the team; the young Australian got a chance in FP1 in Montreal instead of Ocon, but his running was affected by wet conditions.
Doohan has been testing older Alpine cars after taking a break from racing following his third-place finish in last year’s F2 championship.
Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu have also been linked to the team, along with Alpine World Endurance Championship driver and Mercedes F1 reserve Mick Schumacher, although Schumacher is seen as less likely to get the drive.
“I think he’s an option, definitely. Jack is an option. We’re preparing him. He recently tested in Austria and has a busy testing schedule, which we’re pleased about,” Famin added.
“We’ll see how he progresses. He’s one of the possibilities we’re considering, but he’s definitely a possibility.”
Ocon mentioned that his relationship with Famin wasn’t harmed by their decision to part ways, even though Famin strongly criticized Ocon’s actions in Monaco on Canal+.
“I spoke with Bruno when I was at the factory preparing for the weekend, and we talked about many things,” Ocon said.
“There’s no awkwardness, no damage to our relationship. We’ve discussed everything, we’re moving forward, and we’re focused on racing and doing our best.”
