In a dramatic shift at the Canadian Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon has described Alpine's team orders as "unexplainable," adding fuel to the already simmering tension within the team. The incident occurred just shy of the race's conclusion and has sparked considerable controversy.
Energy Management Woes
Ocon, who was originally running in eighth place, encountered an energy management issue on lap 67 out of 70. This problem hampered his car’s battery capacity, limiting its performance capabilities.
As Daniel Ricciardo overtook him for eighth place, Ocon struggled to keep up. With just two laps remaining, his engineer instructed him to yield ninth place to his teammate, Pierre Gasly, who had shown a faster pace and was expected to challenge Ricciardo.
Initially, Ocon resisted the instruction but eventually agreed to the position swap on lap 69. Ocon anticipated that Gasly would return the favor if unable to overtake Ricciardo by the race's end. However, this swap did not materialize as Ocon's engineer was only "working" on the possibility.
By the final lap, the situation had not changed. With Nico Hülkenberg posing a substantial threat in 11th place, a strategic reversal was no longer feasible.
Contentious Team Orders
The incident at the Canadian Grand Prix has exacerbated the growing rift between Ocon and the Alpine team. Earlier, both parties had announced they would part ways at the end of the 2024 season. This follows another controversial moment at the Monaco Grand Prix just two weeks prior, where Ocon and Gasly collided after Ocon made an overly ambitious overtaking attempt on the opening lap.
Ocon's Reaction
Speaking candidly after the race, Ocon did not hold back his frustration, stating, "Forget it! It is unexplainable, that one." He continued, "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."
The French driver also expressed disbelief over the practicality of the orders given the significant gap behind Ricciardo, stating, "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."
A Hopeful Outlook
Despite the controversy and frustration, Ocon remains committed to doing 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 hands. That’s not going to change," he asserted.
He emphasized the dedication of his immediate team, saying, "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, he added, "Today, I think they were proud of the race that we were doing. But it's a different story at the end."
In conclusion, Ocon is resolved to persevere despite the challenges and controversies. "I've had harder times, so I will push hard anyway," he remarked, indicating his determination to finish the season on a high note, regardless of the internal issues within the team.
The unfolding tension between Ocon and Alpine 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.