P1 with Matt and Tommy - Esteban Ocon to leave Alpine - where does he go next?

Episode Date: June 3, 2024

It is official: Esteban Ocon and Alpine will part ways at the end of season. But where will he go next? We rank the various possibilities! You can sign up to our Patreon here! You'll get access to exclusive episodes you won't hear anywhere else, every P1 episode ad-free, full driver interview videos, early access to merch, tickets & more!Follow us on socials! You can find us on Twitter, Instagram, Twitch, YouTube and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello everybody and welcome back to the P1 podcast, Emergency Edition. That's right. Sirens are going off in the 2025 F1 driver market. And that is because Alpine have sent Esteban Okon for a home run. Although it does seem like it's a mutual thing. That's what they're delivering as messaging. But it's just a little bit too convenient, isn't it, to announce this after Monaco. Lots of things to discuss Tom Bellingham. Or should I call you Tommy Beard? did Bellingham. My God, we are seeing the fluff on your face, come out like no tomorrow, and we love to see it. Yeah, the Ocon thing is just the timing, it seems just too coincidental,

like you say. It makes me think that is this the punishment that we all knew it was kind of going to happen anyway and it almost kind of agreed to it. But normally in Formula One now, we see the teams like to sort of let their driver that they're replacing, confirm their options and then make an announcement. I wonder if this is their kind of little punishment or little dig that's gone, well, actually now we're not going to weigh and we're going to announce it. So kind of even though they're all chummy on social media, of course they're always going to be like that. But with the admin, but I don't think it is like that in the real world.

No, I agree. And I think it's actually even more sort of intense and harsh, I would even say, on Alpine's side, what they've sort of done here. This is not, Ocon would not want to announce it at this point. It's very much, you know, what we discussed previously around Alpine and how they've put this whole consequences thing coming out now. And the messaging that's kind of being delivered here is Ocon, you've done that. You've, you've been fired. That's kind of what they're sort of trying to, I know that it's all mutual, blah, blah, blah, blah, but the feeling it gets is. And it probably was confirming anyway, but the way they've almost like spun it so they can make it look like, we've made this decision and you've gone. And here's the consequences that we have said that you would receive. And I just think it's a bit harsh. I thought, and it more gives me the insight that all was not well, even probably before Monaco. and perhaps this was all confirmed anyway and all that sort of stuff.

But yeah, it's going to be fascinating now to see whether Esteban Ocon listens to any of the team orders that then come over his way. Because he wasn't listening beforehand and now Aupin of announced that he's gone. I think we could see some very spicy. Maybe we'll do another podcast after Canada of, will Ockon be benched for Spain

after he plows into Galsley and turn on? Yes. We'll see. But the main crux of this. podcast and the reason we are here is to discuss O'Conn's options for 2025. Where will he go? Let's start with Mercedes. Now we have graded each of our, or each of the options out of tennis to the likelihood that we think, or individually, that we think is the possibility of him going. So Mercedes, I am going with a four out of ten. Of course, Esteban Ocon has ties with Mercedes.

He has for a very long time. He's been tipped for the Mercedes seat in previous years as well. It never obviously came through. And I've given it a four out of ten because I don't think it's out of the realms of possibility. But then I also remembered that Esteban Ocon, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a time of turmoil at the moment, want to ruffle more feathers potentially between their two drivers, which would be Ockon and Russell. No. But I'm also going to say that perhaps if they don't go with Kimi Antonelli and, of course, Carlos Sein seems to be now away from that Merck deal. Maybe there will be an

opening for Esteban Ocon if he plays nicely. So that's why I've given it a four. I've gone for a one out of ten for Mercedes. I think the ship has sailed for the Ocon. I know a lot of people think that this is a great option, particularly with Kimmy Antonelli waiting in the wings and it's kind of like, oh, is he too early? And then Ocon potentially could be that nice kind of driver that they put in there. They can assess someone like Antonelli at Williams and then they move up. But the two things there are, then you have a young driver lineup where Ocon's not going anywhere and what would they do about it because. And then the second option, which I think is the big.

bigger problem, which is exactly what you said of Mercedes are already not having the best time of things. I think they are like we discussed in the drive ratings and the main podcast. They are kind of a shadow of the former sales with a lot of the things they're doing at the moment. It's not just the car performance, but some of the decisions. And we've not seen that perfectly slick machine. But they've got two very good drivers in Lewis Hamilton and George Russell who are seemingly working together to improve the car and there's been harmony there. The last thing they need is carnage. And I know Ocon's come out with this statement saying like, I've got this unfair reputation of colliding with my teammates, which maybe it's unfair how

extreme it's been, but I don't think he can deny. Like, no one else can have a compilation video of times X has collided with their teammates like O'Kohs. O'Con can and it can't be a coincidence. So I don't think Mercedes are willing to take that risk. I think everything that's happened, unfortunately for Ocon, has made, I don't think Mercedes would trust that to work. Intriguing. We now go to our next team, Hasse.

Tom, you go first. I have gone four and nine out of ten for Hasse. I can see this happening. Of course, Nika Holkenberg's leaving. Kevin Magnuson is staying for the rest of the season if he doesn't get banned, but we know what I think about that. And staying for the rest of the season. Sorry, the rest of the season.

I thought we were talking about 2025. Sorry, yeah. You made it sound like he was staying. And I was like, wait, when was that announced? No, but sorry. So Magnuson's, yeah, like not been not been confirmed or anything like that. and I think at the start this year I'd have gone that they stay with Magnuson as an experienced driver but he is chaotic and Esteban Okon has a reputation but boy does Magnuson have a reputation

even more extreme at the moment so if they did hire Bearman to replace Holcomberg and they want to get rid of Magnuson Ockon is a good replacement I think he's a very quick driver and has don't mind a bit of chaos and Ocon is a bit of a chaotic driver but he's a very fast driver and Hass don't mind that so I think Hasse would be a very good fit for Ockon and I think Hasse would really like him as well I could see it happening

Oh a little relationship going on Love that cute Funny enough I've gone for an 8 out of 10 Because I'm very much on that same wagon as well That I believe that Hasse might well be the best option for Ocon to get away from perhaps even, you know, the Mercedes sort of program that he's kind of been lingering around a little bit, which obviously hasn't worked out and they've not believed in him to give him the seat at Merck. But at Hasse, the car isn't that

bad. The car is like similar, if not better than the Alpine. So especially with the, I guess, Q3 appearances and things like that, it's been the Hasse is better. So I think it's a good idea for that. I also believe that with the Ferrari ties, perhaps Ocon will smell one day a little seat in the old scarlet car one day. You know, that would be, again, like, where do I go from Hass to try and get to a better seat? Because, of course, Hass, I do not believe it ever going to win the world constructors or driver's championships in that car.

But when we get rid of that KMAG, you're gone. Like, sorry, sir, you're done. like KMAG's gone, Bearman comes in with Ocon, that will be a juicy lineup. It'll be a younger lineup, and it'll be an exciting one, but Ockon still has that experience

that you would hope he'd be able to lead the team. But then we said that at Alpine and then that didn't work out too well because they've kind of parted ways with him. But I think a fresh start at Hasse is the way forward. So I've gone for an eight out of ten.

Our next team is Williams. I've gone for a six, six out of ten for Williams. Now, I know I said get rid of the Merck ties, I know that Williams have a Mercedes engine, but also it might be that he just believes in Daddy Vowls. I don't know why I've just said Daddy Vowls, because I only say that on Twitch live streams, but James Vowls, daddy vows, he, yeah, he might sell, sell Ockon the Dream, Ock on an Albon. That could also be nuclear, but I would be here to watch it, and did Williams genuinely want to move forward? Yes,

but they need to have two very good drivers, not just one. Of course, Logan's going to be gone. That is signed sealed, delivered. Thank you very much. Take care. And Williams, again, they're in this five-year plan or whatever it might be. With James Fowse at the helm, could be one to believe in. I have gone for, and I've just changed it again.

I've gone for a four out of ten for Williams. What did you change it from? Only a three, but I was a little bit more. convinced you a little bit there. Not out the question. But one thing, one thing I will say that we are, just to like go a little bit off topic.

And one thing that we discussed before we started was, these are really difficult to rate because the only thing that I know, and we'll do our 2025 predictions at some point, is my goodness me, this is the most chaotic silly season ever, because it really does feel like anyone could go anywhere. And Alpine were a team that when Hamill, When Dalton announced that he was going to Ferrari and we thought everything's going to change,

I would have locked in like a nine out of ten that Ocon and Gasley would still stay, maybe even a ten. I think that was the one driver lineup you thought, well, they're going to be locked in, it's fine. And now that's changing as well, just to add more chaos. But Williams, I just, I don't see it's like an impossible thing. I've got my sight set on who I think would go there alongside Albon which we'll get into it may be in the 2025 prediction thing

but even if they didn't go with that driver they would put like an Antonelli and a young driver in to kind of assess him at Mercedes so yeah I don't think it's the greatest option and the thing with Ocon is that he's now no actually I'll save that for the next bit Oh, God, all the teases and cliffhangers from Tom Bellingham today. We now go to our next team, which is Steak, Tom Bellingham.

I have gone for a three out of ten for steak. So not completely impossible. And what I was going to say is that Ocon now has the unfortunate thing where he is going to be competing with Carlos Sites for these spare seats, because they are getting less and less. I think there's a surprising amount of options are going now. And you would think that Formula One teams, you take money aside.

Ocon is a brilliant driver. I think he is actually quite underrated and he's a very fast driver. But given the option of Carlos Sainz or Esteban Ocon, with these teams, I think people, like nine times out of ten, a lot of teams are going to choose Carlos, aren't they, because of how well he's done. So he's going to struggle there. But then there's part of me that thinks if science is messing steak around and taking really long with his decision,

does Zocon swoop in there and go, look, I'll sign tomorrow. I need a seat. Get the pen and paper out. I'll do the job. Maybe it's an option. So I'm not like completely out the question, but it does feel like that steak seat is surely Carlos. is now. We shall see.

I've gone for a one out of ten. I can't see it. Just in my mind's eye, I just don't. And some of this is based purely on vibes. Just pure as you say, like that is complete and utter mystery what is going to happen with the rest of this driver lineup for 2025. But I just don't see it. Does Ocon fanciest chances up against Holkenberg when it then turns to Audi?

And of course, Audi will be loving their, you know, their German driver and, you know, I'm cherishing Nika Holkenberg and all that sort of stuff. stuff and will he want to go up against that sort of thing? I don't know. I can't see it. I think that there are better opportunities for him to, especially at Hasse, I think, to be able to take over there, be the team leader and really sort of move forward. So I can't see, yeah, the stake option for Ockon, but we will see.

And finally, no seat. How much of a probability is it that he does not have a seat for 2025? Let's not forget he has had another time. where he has not had a seat for a year in Formula One. I am going to go for a zero out of ten. It's not happening. He's going to be on the grid. I know that lots of people joke about it, or some are very serious.

There are a lot of Ocon haters on social media, and I think it's very misplaced. He's a lovely, lovely bloke. But I don't think he's going to be without a seat. I think he'll slot in somewhere because he's too good of a driver to miss out. and I also don't think that there are enough young drivers and potential talent waiting in the wings to slot all of these seats or take all these seats away from him.

So I think Ockham will be on the grid somewhere in 2025, even if it is a dustbin. I have gone for a four out of 10 for this because I initially was like, oh, it's a one out of 10 and had the same thinking of you that he is far too good of a driver, he's a race winner. but I would be feeling a little bit nervous. He did say that his plans will be announced in due course.

I think he said something like that. So maybe he has got something lined up. But maybe it's just the way the driver market is that I would be sweating if I was out of a seat now because there are a lot of seats confirmed. I know there's loads of options, but Visa CashUp's not an option because it's Red Bull. One C and Mercedes have already said is impossible. If Hasse do decide to go for something a bit different or take like Yuki Sonoda over or something. There's so many options at the moment.

And it does feel like Ocon, I don't think it's going to happen, which is why I've given it a four, but I'm not saying it's completely no chance because the seats are running out and there's a driver that they need to accommodate in Antonelli, Olli Behrman, and then all these seats are closing up, science needs to go somewhere, and then you're running out of options

and it might be the case where, yeah, his only option is HASS, but it also might be there's any option is nothing. I love how we say about HASS and we sort of over the last few years, you know, that's the, that'll be the, 10th pick, Hasse are probably a bit higher for some driver's choices than perhaps Williams and Stake.

Yeah, there's even rumours now that like Sonoda might just take a punt on Hasse just to get out of the Red Bull driver program because he doesn't feel like it's ever being promoted. Yuki's going Alpine to get back to the Ghazly Sonoda loved. Oh, it's a hundred, but that's going to happen now. I can see it. Like Alpine have seen the chaos and the toxic relationship that's going on between Ghazley and Okun and went, why don't we just have the opposite? it like a harmonious little brother, brotherly love that Sonoda and Ghazdi have. I see it.

Maybe. Although, imagine if they fell out, then it would be like Alpine, maybe it's you. Like a heartbreak. Yeah, maybe it is. Okay, well that pretty much sums up the options that are logically available for Esteban Okon. To me, be Bellingham, what are your final thoughts? my final thoughts I'm going to have to find this comment because it's so funny that I need to read it out but I put on Twitter

basically about the fact that it's funny how Ocon's now left because there was the whole hoo-ha a couple of years ago that they had Oscar Piastri they need to get him in the team and now they don't have Piastri, they don't have Alonzo

and they don't have Ocon so they've lost all three of them but someone replied with a brilliant reply that said from Feast to Faman, which if that's not a DTS episode title, I have, I have not. Daniel a cursely. Sorry if I've butchered your name. That is a great comment. You can just see that. That is a DTS title if I've ever heard one right there. That is brilliant. Now, if you are wondering who we believe is going to go to Alpine to fill in Ocon's slot, then we have actually rebranded our second channel, which was Will Knowledge, to P1 Extra, where we are going to be doing much more extra content, stuff that you love from P1,

but just on another channel, some bits and bobs, we throw it up, you know, see if you love it. So yes, that chat will be over there, so go and subscribe and check it out. And the link will be in the description. And that is it. See you very soon. Lots of love. Bye. Bye. P1 is a Stack production and part of the Acast's creator network.