The Formula 1 silly season is gearing up with contract announcements emerging during the first eight races of the year.
The latest confirmed news is Alex Albon’s extended deal with Williams, filling half of the 2025 grid seats.
Journalist Nate Saunders, speaking on the Unlapped Podcast, suggests another decision has been made that will affect next year’s paddock lineup.
Drivers currently out of contract view every race as a chance to prove their worth, either to their current team or elsewhere.
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Additionally, several talented rookies are aiming to break into F1 next year.
One driver likely to lose his seat in 2025 is Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.
Despite showing speed in a struggling car and scoring the team’s first point in Miami, Ocon’s relationship with the team has soured.
He joins Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg among those seeking new teams next year.
Pairing Ocon with Pierre Gasly was always risky for Alpine.
Gasly joined from AlphaTauri in 2023, but he wasn’t the first choice.
Oscar Piastri was initially lined up to replace Fernando Alonso before being poached by McLaren.
The tension between Ocon and Gasly, exacerbated by a significant crash in Australia in 2023, cost valuable points.
Midway through last year, Alpine parted ways with much of their senior management, worsening the situation.
Ocon has been exploring his 2025 options, hinting he’s known for some time he might lose his seat.
Saunders commented on Ocon’s future: “I think in the heat of the moment if you’d asked Bruno Famin a minute after that interview, ‘Are you going to get rid of him next week?’ I think he might have said yes. But it seems like it’s eased off a little bit. I increasingly don’t think he will be at Alpine next season. He’s causing too many headaches.”
Despite rumors of Ocon’s seat being threatened at the Canadian Grand Prix following his crash with Gasly in Monaco, these seem unfounded.
The one-time race winner is exploring options for next year, with several teams on his radar.
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Martin Brundle noted Ocon’s tendency to clash with teammates might keep him from top teams.
Audi is considering Ocon for next year if they can’t sign Sainz, and Haas is eyeing him to replace Hulkenberg.
However, Ocon’s next move might not be a significant leap up the grid.