Esteban Ocon has acknowledged his recent visit to Williams' F1 factory in Grove for a seat fitting.
Nevertheless, according to Canal Plus, the soon-to-be former Alpine driver is nearly finalized on signing a contract with Haas for 2025 and beyond, anticipated to be disclosed before the Belgian Grand Prix.
Recent rumors suggested that Williams head James Vowles invited Ocon, 27, to consider an early departure from Alpine to replace Logan Sargeant for the rest of 2024. However, Alpine apparently halted these plans, concerned that pairing Ocon with Alex Albon might boost Williams' challenge in the constructors' championship.
"I saw this information in the press," Ocon told the AFP news agency in Hungary. "It's true that I went to do a test at Williams a few weeks ago to see how I felt in the car, especially because my size is unusual - I'm very tall," he shared.
"There are discussions in progress with several teams, but nothing is sealed. We'll see what happens. My goal is to stay in Formula 1 and I'm confident. In the meantime, I want to finish the season with Alpine," he added.
AFP reported that Alpine "categorically denied" any possibility of Ocon departing the team before this season's end.
Moreover, reports suggest that Ocon is much more likely to join Haas next year rather than Williams. "The discussions are going very well," Ocon stated, without specifying Haas, "and it allows me to concentrate as best I can on what I have to do each weekend because I want to finish the story with Alpine in the best possible way. The team can count on me."
"I'm very confident about still being on the grid for the next few years," he concluded.
