In a dramatic turn of events at the Canadian Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon has labeled Alpine's team orders as "unexplainable" after a series of contentious decisions left him feeling exasperated and disillusioned.
Energy Management Woes
Running in eighth place, Ocon encountered an energy management issue on lap 67 of 70, severely hampering his car’s battery capacity and its performance. As a result, Daniel Ricciardo managed to overtake him for eighth place, leaving Ocon to struggle in holding his position.
Controversial Team Orders
With merely two laps remaining in the race, Ocon's engineer instructed him to concede the ninth place to his teammate Pierre Gasly, who demonstrated a faster pace and was expected to challenge Ricciardo. Initially, Ocon resisted the directive, but he eventually agreed to swap positions on lap 69, assuming that Gasly would return the favor if he failed to overtake Ricciardo by the end of the race.
However, the anticipated swap never materialized. Ocon's engineer was reportedly still "working" on the possibility, and by the final lap, with Nico Hülkenberg presenting a significant threat in 11th place, the strategic reversal became impractical. This incident not only frustrated Ocon but also highlighted the growing tension within the Alpine team.
Deepening Rifts
The situation at the Canadian Grand Prix has further exacerbated the already strained relationship between Ocon and Alpine. The team and Ocon had previously announced their mutual decision to part ways at the end of the 2024 season, following another controversial incident at the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks earlier. During that event, Ocon and Gasly clashed when Ocon made an overly ambitious overtaking attempt on the opening lap, leading to a collision.
Ocon's Candid Reaction
Speaking candidly after the race, an exasperated Ocon did not hold back his disappointment. "Forget it! It is unexplainable, that one," he 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, pointing out that he had fulfilled his responsibilities but felt the team had failed to reciprocate. "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," he remarked.
The French driver also cast doubts on 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 explained.
A Resilient Outlook
Despite the unfolding drama and mounting frustrations, Ocon remains committed to performing to the best of his abilities with the resources available. "Like usual, I'm just trying to do the best I can with what I’ve got in hands. That’s not going to change," he asserted.
Ocon expressed appreciation for the close-knit team around him, including his engineers and mechanics who work tirelessly to support his performance. "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."
Reflecting on the overall performance, Ocon noted, "Today, I think they were proud of the race that we were doing. But it's a different story at the end." Despite the setbacks, the French driver is resolute in his determination to push through and 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 be a focal point for F1 enthusiasts and experts alike.