After five seasons with Renault, which became Alpine, the Frenchman, who is preparing to compete in the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend, will discover a new team next year.
The rumor had been circulating for some time in the paddock, it was officially confirmed this Thursday. Esteban Ocon will discover his fourth Formula 1 team next season. After Manor (2016), Force India (2017-2018) and Renault which became Alpine (2019-2024), the Frenchman has committed for several seasons, without it being known yet how many, in favor of Haas. The American team which will completely renew its drivers in 2025 since it had already signed the young Briton Oliver Bearman, currently third driver at Ferrari.
At Haas, where Niko Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen will leave – the Dane had been with the team since 2017 (with a break in 2021) – Esteban Ocon intends to bounce back after a difficult first half of the season at Alpine. With a single-seater clearly not up to expectations, especially during the first Grands Prix, the Norman often had to bite his lip. And while things have improved in recent races, the 27-year-old driver has had a few setbacks, notably during the unfortunate collision with his teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco, which earned him the wrath of his management.
No longer in the good books of the French team, he said he was “excited about starting this new chapter” in a few months. “I am joining an ambitious team, with a mindset, a work ethic and an upward trajectory that have impressed me,” rejoices the man who has achieved three podiums since his F1 debut, including a success in Hungary in 2021. Haas has a motivating project and very clear goals for the future. I am very much looking forward to working with everyone at Kannapolis, Bandbury and Maranello.”
In the meantime, the Tricolore, 18th in the drivers’ championship with 3 small points, will try to finish his story with Alpine as best as possible. Starting this weekend in Belgium on the always difficult and spectacular Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
What time can I watch the Belgian Grand Prix?
The Belgian Grand Prix returns to a traditional schedule this year after hosting a sprint race in 2023. The first day will therefore be devoted to the first two free practice sessions, before the third scheduled for Saturday lunchtime. Qualifying will take place on Saturday afternoon and the race on Sunday at the usual time for Grands Prix held in Europe.
- Free practice 1 at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 26 (duration: 1 hour)
- Free Practice 2 at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 26 (duration: 1 hour)
- Free Practice 3 at 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 27 (duration: 1 hour)
- Qualifications at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 27 (duration: 45 minutes)
- Grand Prix at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 28 (duration: 2 hours maximum)
On which TV channel can you watch the Belgian Grand Prix?
The Belgian Grand Prix will be broadcast exclusively on the channels of the Canal group, holder of the rights to the Formula 1 world championship. The three free practice sessions as well as qualifying are scheduled on Canal+ Sport. The race, starting at 3pm on Sunday, will be broadcast on Canal+.
- Friday: Free Practice 1 at 1:15 p.m. + Free Practice 2 at 4:45 p.m. on Canal+ Sport
- Saturday: Free Practice 3 at 11:45 a.m. + Qualifying at 3:40 p.m. on Canal+ Sport
- Sunday: “La Grille” program at 1:55 p.m. + start of the Grand Prix at 3 p.m. on Canal+
Drivers’ World Championship standings (after 13 Grands Prix)
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 265 points
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) 189 points
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 162 points
4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 154 points
5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 149 points
6. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 125 points
7. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 124 points
8. George Russell (Mercedes) 116 points
9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 45 points
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 24 points
11. Niko Hülkenberg (Haas) 22 points
11. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo (Racing Bulls) 11 points
14. Oliver Bearman (Ferrari) 6 points
14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 5 points
17. Alex Albon Williams) 4 points
18. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) 3 points
What are the dates of the F1 Grand Prix in 2024?
The 2024 Formula 1 season will feature 24 Grands Prix. It began at the end of February in Bahrain and will end in early December in Abu Dhabi. Here is the full F1 2024 calendar with times given in French time:
1. Bahrain GP (Sakhir): Saturday March 2 (Winner: Verstappen)
2. Saudi Arabian GP (Jeddah): Saturday March 9 (Winner: Verstappen)
3. Australian GP (Melbourne): Sunday March 24 (Winner: Sainz)
4. Japanese GP (Suzuka): Sunday April 7 (Winner: Verstappen)
5. Chinese GP (Shanghai): Sunday April 21 (Winner: Verstappen)
6. Miami GP (Miami): Sunday May 5 at 10pm (Winner: Norris)
7. Emilia-Romagna GP (Imola) : Sunday May 19 (Winner: Verstappen)
8. Monaco GP: Sunday May 26 (Winner: Leclerc)
9. Canadian GP (Montreal): Sunday June 9 (Winner: Verstappen)
10. Spanish GP (Barcelona): Sunday June 23 (Winner: Verstappen)
11. Austrian GP (Spielberg): Sunday June 30 (Winner: Russell)
12. British GP (Silverstone): Sunday July 7 (Winner: Hamilton)
13. Hungarian GP (Budapest): Sunday July 21 (Winner: Piastri)
14. Belgian GP (Spa-Francorchamps) : Sunday July 28 at 3 p.m.
15. Dutch GP (Zandvoort): Sunday August 25 at 3 p.m.
16. Italian GP (Monza): Sunday September 1st at 3 p.m.
17. Azerbaijan GP (Baku): Sunday September 15 at 1 p.m.
18. Singapore GP (Marina Bay): Sunday September 22 at 2 p.m.
19. United States GP (Austin): Sunday October 20 at 9 p.m.
20. Mexican GP (Mexico City): Sunday October 27 at 8 p.m.
21. Brazilian GP (Interlagos): Sunday November 3 at 7 p.m.
22. Las Vegas GP (Las Vegas): Sunday, November 24 at 6 a.m.
23. Qatar GP (Losail): Sunday October 1st at 3 p.m.
24. Abu Dhabi GP (Yas Marina): Sunday December 8 at 2 p.m.