Alpine’s comeback story took another step forward at Sunday’s Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix. Thanks to Pierre Gasly’s solid qualifying on Saturday and his driver’s efficient performance on Sunday, Alpine doubled their points total at the Monaco Grand Prix with Gasly’s 10th place finish.
But ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, their comeback story is not on everyone’s radar.
Instead, attention has focused on an opening lap collision between Gasly and teammate Esteban Ocon that launched Ocon’s A524 into the air, crashed heavily while returning to the track and ultimately forced Ocon to retire from the race with damage to his car.
Shortly afterwards, race officials determined that Ocon was “fully responsible” for the collision and gave the driver a 10-second penalty, which was changed to a five-place grid penalty to be applied at Ocon’s next race, as he had retired from the race.
The story doesn’t end there. Team principal Bruno Famin spoke to media during the red-flagged race about the opening lap collision. According to Famin, Ocon’s actions on the first lap “… were a total overreach. It’s exactly the kind of behaviour we don’t want to see and there will be consequences.” Famine told French media: Canal+.
“We’re going to make some tough decisions.” Continued Famine To Canal+“On the first lap at Portier, I didn’t give my teammate any space and it was not a place where he could make a move.”
The comments sparked much speculation about Ocon’s status at Alpine. Sky Sports Commentator Craig Slater said on air: The team was considering benching Ocon for the Canadian Grand Prix. “Bruno Famin was on the pit wall. Canal+ “Famin called him immediately after the first lap crash and Famin spoke angrily and said he had made a tough decision, which everyone interpreted as benching Esteban Ocon for the next race in Canada,” Slater began on Sunday.
“All I can say is that Alpine manager Bruno Famin is still seriously considering it. He will do what is best for the team,” Slater continued. “But if the decision is made to miss Esteban Ocon for a week to show what the team discipline should be, he is prepared to do that, but that decision has not been taken yet.”
“In the aftermath of yesterday’s Grand Prix, Ocon and Famine met in person. Ocon has personally apologised in person and has subsequently apologised publicly via social media. We’ll see what happens.”
Later on Sunday, Ocon, Gasly and Famine all addressed the incident in their team’s post-race media report, with Ocon taking full responsibility for the collision and apologising to the team for a “mistake”.
“I made a mistake today and I apologise to the whole team for the accident and retirement. In the end, the team achieved our target of scoring points and that’s what is most important for our ambitions,” Ocon said in the team’s media report. “Despite the team’s best efforts during the red flag stoppage, my car was too damaged to restart the race. We will review everything as a team and come back stronger. We are all working hard to score points. Mistakes happen but we will move forward.”
Gasly said that finishing tenth and finishing in the points was a “deserved result” for Alpine, adding that the team would “review a lot of things” in their post-race report.
As for Famin, Alpine team principal Canal Plus.
“As a team, we will privately review and address any incident between the two cars,” Famine said. “We must avoid any situation that could put the team in harm’s way.”
A report by Ted Kravitz on the post-race “Ted’s Notes” broadcast also added fuel to the speculation: “We’re heading to Alpine after news breaks that Esteban Ocon nearly beat his teammate Pierre Gasly.” Kravitz began..
“Famin said he would make the decision and Ocon tweeted ‘it is entirely my responsibility’, but the team won’t even let me discuss with Bruno Famin what the direct consequences of this will be for Esteban Ocon.” The legendary F1 analyst continued: “I saw Famine on the roof of the pit building at Alpine. He had called reserve driver Jack Doohan over to talk to him. They talked – I don’t know what they talked about – and Jack Doohan walked away and walked down the stairs.”
“Now, I know it’s not exactly the same as Woodward or Bernstein or Watergate, but it’s all I know. Is Fahmin going to bench Esteban Ocon and punish him for doing something he told him not to do in Canada? Maybe. Is he going to put Doohan in the car? Maybe.”
“But that’s all I can tell you. I’m sorry I can’t be more clear. But yes, things are moving forward. Things are moving forward in the Alpine team.”
So will the matter end there and Ocon will rejoin the team next week in Montreal, only to be handed a five-place grid penalty by race officials in Monaco? Or will he face further retribution from the team in the form of a benching at the Canadian Grand Prix?
stay tuned.
