There were whispers circulating about Esteban Ocon being dropped by Alpine for the Canadian Grand Prix after a dramatic incident in Monaco. Alpine team principal, Bruno Famin, has stepped in to clear the air.
The rumors ignited after Ocon and his teammate Pierre Gasly collided on the first lap in Monaco. Ocon’s ambitious move at Portier led to his car being lifted off the ground, eliminating him from the race. A frustrated Famin had threatened “consequences” for Ocon, sparking media speculation that he might be benched for the upcoming Canadian GP.
Famin has firmly denied that benching Ocon was ever a consideration. “It has never been a point,” Famin told Sky F1. “We’re professional. Even if something bad happens, we talk, we discuss. We do what we need to do to improve the situation for the coming race. But benching him for a race, it has never been a point.”
When asked if he gave Ocon a stern talking-to before the race, Famin clarified how team communications work at Alpine. “I never speak to the drivers one-on-one for this kind of thing. When we have race instructions, we all speak together to make sure everybody gets the same information,” he explained. “The instructions were clear before the race in Monaco, just like they were clear before the previous one. It was very clear.”
Famin’s frustration wasn’t unfounded, considering how the chaotic start in Monaco almost wrecked their race. Gasly, who ended up with a puncture from the collision, was saved by the red flags and managed to change his tires and get back to P10 for the restart. He finished in that position, securing Alpine’s second point of the season. “I think it was quite right to be upset, because for the team it was very bad, and without the red flag, we would have had Pierre last because he would have to stop for the puncture,” Famin remarked. “He would have finished the race last, and yeah, it was a very bad thing.”
As it stands, Alpine is positioned at P9 in the Constructors’ Championship with just two points in their tally ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. The situation is tense, but the team is looking to improve and avoid the pitfalls encountered in Monaco.
In conclusion, despite the rumors, Esteban Ocon remains a crucial part of Alpine’s strategy going forward. Bruno Famin’s frustrations are clear, but the path forward for the team involves constructive discussion and improvement rather than drastic measures.
Source: Planetf1
