Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly used to be close friends. They grew up just 20 minutes from one another in Normandy and raced together in karting.
But as they revealed on the latest season of Drive to Survive, their relationship was damaged by one race in 2008 that saw Gasly overtake Ocon at the final corner to snatch a podium spot. The former was later disqualified, so the move counted for nothing, but it seems to have had lasting consequences.
Gasly says he’s given the 27-year-old ‘many, many chances’ to turn the page. But Ocon hasn’t seemed overly interested.
In this context, Alpine took a chance by reuniting the duo at the start of 2023. Last year, they combined for a solid haul of 120 points and each scored a podium.
The main public flashpoint came at the Australian Grand Prix, when the two cars collided at the restart following a red flag, ending both of their races. Outwardly at least, the Enstone outfit were able to control the fallout.
But now they have to do so again after Ocon and Gasly made contact at Portier on the first lap of the Monaco Grand Prix. The former Mercedes reserve sustained terminal damage, and left his teammate in need of repairs too.
Esteban Ocon insists he’ll continue to work ‘collaboratively’ with Pierre Gasly
On Friday, Ocon took to Twitter to respond to ‘misinformed statements and gross distortions’ about his ‘ability to work with a team’. During his lengthy statement, he addressed his relationship with Gasly.
He insists that the ‘respect’ between the duo remains, even they’re no longer friends like they used to be. In his eyes, they have co-operated effectively to help Alpine, and will continue to do so.
Ocon confirmed at the end of his thread that he would be racing in Canada next weekend. There had been talk of a one-race suspension that would see the team call upon reserve driver Jack Doohan.
He will carry a five-place grid penalty into the event, which will significantly hurt his chances of adding to the singular point he’s scored this season. Ocon also picked up two penalty points on his superlicence for the incident.
Alpine eye new teammate for Pierre Gasly in 2025
Team principal Bruno Famin may see the Monaco incident as confirmation that the Gasly and Ocon partnership isn’t viable going forward. Both drivers are out of contract at the end of the season, and Famin may be more inclined to stick with the former Red Bull man.
Indeed, it now looks inevitable that Ocon will move on. He’s simply been causing the team too many ‘headaches’ to earn an extension.
Haas is a potential destination for the 2021 Hungarian GP winner. The American team have a vacancy for next year after Nico Hulkenberg signed for Audi.
As for Alpine, they’re assessing multiple candidates. New advisor Flavio Briatore could push for the team to sign Mick Schumacher given his close relationship with the family.
But academy driver Doohan is firmly in the conversation too. And if the team want to go down the more experienced route, they could sign Valtteri Bottas, the potential victim of Hulkenberg’s Audi move.
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