Esteban Ocon has now set his stance on a move to Sauber in 2025 ahead of the team becoming Audi amid doubts over his future at Alpine following his Monaco GP crash.
The 27-year-old is now facing an increasingly uncertain future in Enstone after colliding with teammate Pierre Gasly in the Principality. Ocon saw his Monaco GP end on the first lap after an ambitious dive into Portier resulted in pitching his Alpine into the air and out of the race.
Such was Alpine vice-president Bruno Famin’s disdain at Ocon’s move that he faced possibly being benched for the Canadian GP. But the Frenchman has stated he will drive in the Great White North next time out. Yet with a contract expiring this December, his future is in doubt.
Esteban Ocon is reluctant to entertain Audi’s interest in him joining Sauber
Ocon is a three-time podium finisher and one-time Grand Prix winner through 141 Formula 1 entries, though. So, GPBlog reports that Audi is interested in signing Ocon to be teammates with Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber in 2025. The German brand will take the team over in 2026.
Hulkenberg was out of contract with Haas at the end of this year, so signed a three-year deal to move to Sauber in 2025 as a works Audi driver. Now, the automotive giant is working to finalise the Swiss squad’s driver line-up. But Ocon does not presently share Audi’s desires.
READ MORE: Every Formula 1 team’s confirmed 2025 driver line-ups
Ocon is rather loath to entertain Audi’s interest with a seat at Sauber the outcome for 2025. The Hinwil, Switzerland team have been on the Formula 1 grid since the 1993 campaign. Yet Sauber have only won the 2008 Canadian GP and reached 27 podiums in 473 race entries.
Esteban Ocon has several options in F1 amid doubts over his future at Alpine
ESPN journalist Nate Saunders has claimed that Ocon is ‘increasingly likely’ to leave Alpine at the end of this year. His crash with Gasly at the Monaco GP was even not a decisive factor. The Renault-owned squad were already likely to axe Ocon as he gives ‘too many headaches’.
One potential option should the Frenchman leave Enstone is Haas, who have looked at Ocon as a replacement for Hulkenberg. Joe Seward notes that the American team would welcome Ocon next year to serve as the experienced driver alongside Ferrari protégé Oliver Bearman.
But F1-Insider reports that Ocon is in talks with Williams as he sees more potential with the Grove squad than Alpine. A move to Williams would see the 2021 Hungarian GP winner take over the seat Logan Sargeant is clinging on to after Alex Albon signed a new contract in May.
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