Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) (AFP) - French driver Esteban Ocon has signed a multi-year deal to drive for Haas, the American Formula One team announced on Thursday ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

The 27-year-old makes the move from Alpine as a replacement for Kevin Magnussen, whose departure was confirmed earlier this month.

“I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter in my Formula 1 career,” said Ocon.

“I’ll be joining a very ambitious racing team, whose spirit, work ethic, and undeniable upward trajectory has really impressed me.”

Ocon, who has raced in 146 grands prix, will be joining his fourth F1 team after Manor, Force India and Renault, now known as Alpine.

He claimed both his and Alpine’s sole win so far at the rain-hit Hungarian Grand Prix in 2021.

“It was important to me that we have a driver with a known pedigree in Formula 1, and as a grand prix winner, Esteban undoubtedly fits that brief,” said team owner Gene Haas.

“Esteban’s proved himself in the teams he’s raced for as someone who’s continually in the mix and scoring points. It’s that continuity we’re keen to capitalise on as we look for increased performance gains on-track.”

Next season he will team up with 19-year-old British driver Oliver Bearman, who finished seventh in Jeddah after stepping in at late notice for Carlos Sainz in his only F1 start.

Team principal Ayao Komatsu said he was “delighted” to have Ocon on board, having worked with him at the start of his Formula One career.

“The experience he brings, not just from his own talent base but also from working for a manufacturer team, will be advantageous to us in our growth as an organisation,” said Komatsu.

“It was vital we had a driver with experience in beside Oliver Bearman next year. But Esteban is only 27, he’s still young with a lot to prove as well.

“I think we have a hungry, dynamic driver pairing.”

- Alpine exit -

Ocon, who made his F1 debut in 2016, announced he was splitting with Alpine in June, a week after a collision with his team-mate Pierre Gasly in Monaco for which he was blamed.

“Discussions with Haas started a while ago, during the 2023 season,” Ocon told the press in Belgium on Thursday.

“But Ayao really convinced me… by explaining his plans to improve the current situation - plans which are already starting to work because they have clearly improved their performances.”

The Frenchman insisted he wants to finish his Alpine career “on a high note” in spite of a “frustrating” season which sees them lying eighth in the 10-team constructors’ championship with just nine points to their name.

“There hasn’t been enough improvement in certain areas,” said Ocon.

“And we’re facing the same problems we had three years ago with the current car, which is not possible in F1.”

The signing of Ocon means 15 of the 20 seats are now filled for the 2025 season.

Alpine have still not named Ocon’s successor although Sainz has been cited as a possible contender.