In a dramatic twist at the Canadian Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon has described Alpine's team orders as "unexplainable," adding more fuel to the existing tension within the team. Ocon, who was running in eighth place, encountered an energy management issue on lap 67 of 70. This issue, which reduced his car’s battery capacity, significantly hampered his ability to use the vehicle's full potential.
Unexpected Team Orders
As Daniel Ricciardo overtook him for eighth place, Ocon struggled to maintain his position. With merely two laps remaining, Ocon's engineer instructed him to cede the ninth place to his teammate Pierre Gasly, who had shown a faster pace and was expected to attempt a chase down Ricciardo. Initially resistant, Ocon eventually agreed to the swap on lap 69, assuming Gasly would return the favor if he couldn't overtake Ricciardo by the race's end. However, this swap never materialized as Ocon's engineer was only "working" on the possibility. By the final lap, the strategic reversal was deemed untenable due to the substantial threat posed by Nico Hülkenberg in 11th place.
Contentious Team Dynamics
The incident at the Canadian Grand Prix exacerbates the growing rift between Ocon and Alpine. The team and Ocon had already declared that they would part ways at the end of the 2024 season. This follows another controversial moment at the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks prior, where Ocon and Gasly collided after Ocon's overly ambitious overtaking attempt on the opening lap.
Ocon's Frustration
Speaking candidly after the race, Ocon did not hold back his frustration. "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: "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, indicating 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 emphasized.
A Hopeful Outlook
Despite the controversy and frustration, Ocon remains committed to performing his best with the resources available. "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 issues within the team.
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 Formula 1 enthusiasts and experts alike. As the season progresses, Ocon's performance and his relationship with Alpine will be closely scrutinized, making for an intriguing subplot to the main competition on the track.