In a dramatic turn of events at the Canadian Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon has labeled Alpine's team orders as "unexplainable." The incident exemplified the mounting tension between Ocon and the Alpine team as they gear up for an inevitable split at the end of the 2024 season.
The Incident
Ocon, who was holding onto eighth place, encountered an energy management issue on lap 67 of the 70-lap race. This problem reduced his car’s battery capacity to a point where he couldn't exploit its full potential. As a result, Daniel Ricciardo managed to overtake him for eighth place. Struggling to maintain his position, Ocon received instructions from his engineer to relinquish ninth place to his teammate Pierre Gasly, who had demonstrated a faster pace and was thought capable of chasing down Ricciardo.
Initially, Ocon refused to give up his position but eventually complied on lap 69, assuming that Gasly would return the favor if he couldn't overtake Ricciardo by the end of the race. However, the swap never materialized. According to Ocon, his engineer mentioned they were "working" on the possibility, but by the final lap, the race situation remained unaltered. With Nico Hülkenberg posing a significant threat in 11th place, a strategic reversal was deemed unfeasible.
Contentious Team Orders
The incident at the Canadian Grand Prix further deepens the growing rift between Ocon and Alpine. Earlier in the season, it was publicly declared that Ocon and the team would part ways at the end of the 2024 season. This scenario follows another controversial moment at the Monaco Grand Prix just two weeks prior, where Ocon and Gasly collided after Ocon's overly ambitious overtaking attempt on the opening lap.
Ocon's Reaction
Speaking candidly after the race, Ocon did not hold back his frustration. "Forget it! It is unexplainable, that one," Ocon stated. "I've always respected the instructions that I've been given as a driver, and I've done that once more. I'm the nice guy!"
Ocon further criticized the team's approach, saying, "I've done my part of the job -- the team hasn't, honestly. It is not fair on that race... So I'm very frustrated with how things have been played out. I guess there are a lot of reasons, so we'll let the benefit of the doubt go on."
Additionally, Ocon expressed disbelief over the practicality of the orders, given the significant gap behind Ricciardo. "No, because we were two and a half seconds behind Daniel. In one lap, not even a Red Bull can catch up the gap. So, no, it makes no sense. So, either we don’t know what we are doing, or we don’t realize how far it is, or it’s something else. It wasn’t the right decision," he criticized.
A Hopeful Outlook Amidst Controversy
Despite the controversy and frustration, Ocon remains committed to giving his best with the resources at hand. "Like usual, I'm just trying to do the best I can with what I’ve got in my hands. That’s not going to change," he asserted.
"I've got a very close team around me with my engineers, my mechanics -- all these guys, they are pushing day in and day out for me to perform," Ocon reflected, emphasizing his focus on the core team that supports his race endeavors.
Reflecting on the overall performance, Ocon added, "Today, I think they were proud of the race that we were doing. But it's a different story at the end." Despite the frustrations, he remains determined to finish the season on a high note. "I've had harder times, so I will push hard anyway," he concluded.
The unfolding tension between Ocon and Alpine is a storyline that promises further drama in the races to come. How both parties navigate the remainder of the season will undoubtedly be a focal point for F1 enthusiasts and experts alike. Fans can only speculate on whether this fractured relationship will find any resolution before Ocon's departure at the end of next season.