Alpine’s had a busy day with some significant updates. Esteban Ocon has cleared the air about his status for the Canadian Grand Prix post his Monaco collision with Pierre Gasly, and the team has released a long-time staff member, Rob White.
The latest from Alpine reveals the departure of Rob White, a figure who played a pivotal role in the team’s 2005-2006 title doubles with Fernando Alonso. While specifics are sparse, it’s known that team principal Bruno Famin informed White of his dismissal earlier this week.
As for the drivers, there was buzz around Esteban Ocon potentially being benched for the Canadian Grand Prix following his race-ending crash with teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco. However, Ocon has firmly shut down those rumors. Addressing the backlash he’s faced since the incident, he stated, “I have been deeply saddened by the amount of abuse and negativity that I have received online regarding my character, my driving, and my career.”
The incident in Monaco wasn’t the first clash between Ocon and Gasly, which has added layers of complexity for the Alpine team. Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko commented, highlighting the challenge for Alpine in managing the duo’s on-track relationship.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, on the lookout for a new team with Lewis Hamilton set to take his Ferrari seat in 2025, has been advised by journalist Joe Saward to consider Williams as the most sensible choice, ruling out moves to Red Bull or Mercedes.
Max Verstappen, despite a sixth-place finish in Monaco, threw a challenge out to the paddock, saying he’d be happy to see anyone drive the Red Bull RB20 faster than he did, emphasizing the car’s struggles on the Monte Carlo track.
Major shifts at Alpine, both on and off the track, confirm that the team is in a period of transition. From Ocon’s strong rebuttal of potential benching rumors to the departure of a key staff member, it’s clear that Alpine is working through significant internal dynamics.
Source: Planetf1
