Esteban Ocon has declared it is not essential that he remains with a works team in Formula 1 in 2025 as the impending regulation change will make things “complex”.
Alpine announced last month that Ocon will depart the team once the ongoing campaign ends to bring an end to a partnership that would have spanned five seasons.
The Frenchman is believed to have been holding conversations with Haas and the American outfit’s boss, Ayao Komatsu, admitted that he is the overriding top target.
Speaking in Barcelona a fortnight ago, Ocon divulged that talks over securing his position on the grid next season were developing at a good pace behind the scenes.
“There are good discussions going on at the moment,” Ocon stated. “I’m happy with how this is going, obviously. We will announce when the time is right.
“There’s nothing to announce yet. But I let my management team deal with all that. I’m very focused on what I have to do on the track.”
Several drivers without contracts sorted are awaiting outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz to decide on which proposal from Alpine, Sauber or Williams he will accept.
But the Spaniard, who has stated he will not be rushed into a choice, has insisted that factoring in the rules reset coming in 2026 has created an added complication.
Ocon has agreed with Sainz’s view that anticipating who will be competitive in the next era is impossible as he expects the restrictive regulations to close up the grid.
“I think 2026 is going to be interesting because there’s going to be a lot less freedom on the aero side,” Ocon explained.
“From there, who is going to have the best suspension, the best powertrain?
“All of this is going to play a big role in terms of performance.
“I don’t think it’s going to be like Formula E. But if it is close to Formula E, then we should be seeing a very close grid. I’m super excited looking at that.
“I heard some rumours that FIA said they were really going to close that to the maximum to make close racing. That should be interesting and should be very nice for the drivers.”
Therefore, Ocon has hinted that continuing his career outside a works setup will not be detrimental to his chances of adding to his three podiums in the sport to date.
Asked whether it mattered that he remains with a manufacturer or not with the revised regulations on the horizon, Ocon answered: “I think it’s more complex than this.
“I will not go into details because then you guys will create stories. But there are a lot of things to look deep inside.
“There are a lot of different projects all around the grid. It’s important to look well inside that to see how things are going to evolve in the future. That’s what we’re discussing.”
Ocon has endured a tense relationship with Alpine this season as an on-track clash with team-mate Pierre Gasly in Monaco witnessed boss Bruno Famin critique him.
The one-time grand prix winner has expressed that a harmonious setting is one element that he is prioritising along with on-track competitiveness in his negotiations.
“I think the most important is to have an environment where you feel supported, you feel good,” Ocon added.
“You feel like everyone is working for one goal and to have a good environment. There’s nothing really that you need to ask for more.
“Obviously, what’s important is the project and what’s the target for the future.
“But yeah, if there is all the good ingredients for a successful future, there’s no way that you should say no to that.”
