In a dramatic turn of events at the Canadian Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon has publicly criticized Alpine’s team orders, labeling them as "unexplainable."
A Critical Moment
Ocon, running in eighth place, encountered an energy management issue on lap 67 of 70, which drastically reduced his car’s battery capacity. This limitation rendered him unable to unleash the car's full potential at a crucial juncture in the race. As Daniel Ricciardo seized the opportunity to overtake him for eighth place, Ocon found himself in a struggle to maintain his position.
With merely two laps remaining, Ocon's race engineer directed him to concede the ninth place to his teammate Pierre Gasly, who displayed a faster pace and was expected to challenge Ricciardo. Initially resistant, Ocon eventually complied on lap 69, under the assumption that Gasly would return the favor if he failed to overtake Ricciardo before the race concluded.
However, the anticipated swap did not occur as Ocon's engineer indicated they were only "working" on the possibility. By the final lap, Ocon's situation remained unchanged, with Nico Hülkenberg posing a significant threat from 11th place, rendering the strategic reversal unfeasible.
Contentious Team Orders
The incident at the Canadian Grand Prix highlights the growing rift between Ocon and the Alpine team. Prior statements had already revealed that the team and Ocon would be parting ways at the end of the 2024 season. This follows another controversial episode at the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks earlier, where an overly ambitious overtaking attempt by Ocon on the opening lap resulted in a collision with Gasly.
Ocon's Reaction
Speaking candidly after the race, Ocon did not hold back his frustration. "Forget it! It is unexplainable, that one," he stated emphatically. "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: "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 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 substantial gap behind Ricciardo. "No, because we were two and a half seconds behind Daniel. In one lap, not even a Red Bull could 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 said.
A Hopeful Outlook
Despite the controversy and frustration, Ocon remains committed to maximizing his performance with the available resources. "Like usual, I'm just trying to do the best I can with what I’ve got in hand. 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." 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."
In conclusion, Ocon is resolved to persevere despite the challenges and controversies. "I've had harder times, so I will push hard anyway," he concluded, indicating his determination to finish the season on a high note, regardless of the friction within the team.
The unfolding tension between Ocon and Alpine serves as 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.