Esteban Ocon has insisted "this is not how I wanted things to end" having been denied the opportunity to properly say goodbye to members of the Alpine Formula 1 team.News of the Frenchman's dropping for this weekend’s Abu Dhabi season finale moved fast after the Qatar Grand Prix and Ocon is expected to return to the cockpit with Haas at the post-season test next week.

Pierre Gasly has spoken about the sudden departure of his Alpine teammate Esteban Ocon, who contested his final race in Qatar.

As per Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz, he explained that Ocon and Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore “struck a deal”, leading to the Frenchman’s premature exit. The “deal” should mean Ocon gets to drive for Haas on Tuesday in the post-race Abu Dhabi test.