In a dramatic twist at the Canadian Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon has denounced Alpine's team orders as "unexplainable." The French driver, who had been holding onto eighth place, faced a crippling energy management issue on lap 67 out of 70. This problem effectively reduced his car’s battery capacity, stripping him of its full potential.
The Incident Unfolds
As Daniel Ricciardo maneuvered past Ocon to claim eighth place, Ocon struggled to retain his positioning. With just two laps remaining, Ocon's engineer directed him to concede the ninth place to his teammate, Pierre Gasly, who had been demonstrating a faster pace and was more likely to chase down Ricciardo.
Initially resistant, Ocon eventually agreed to the swap on lap 69. Ocon assumed that if Gasly couldn’t overtake Ricciardo by the race’s end, the positions would be reverted. However, the expected swap never materialized, as Ocon’s engineer was merely "working" on the possibility. By the final lap, the positions remained unchanged, with Nico Hülkenberg emerging as a significant threat in 11th place, making any strategic reversal futile.
Contentious Team Orders
The incident has further intensified the growing rift between Ocon and Alpine. Previously, the team and Ocon had mutually agreed to part ways at the end of the 2024 season. This comes on the heels of another controversial moment at the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks prior, where Ocon and Gasly collided due to Ocon’s 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,” 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, 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 said.
A Hopeful Outlook
Despite the controversy and frustration, Ocon remains committed to maximizing his performance 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," Ocon added. Reflecting on the overall performance, he mentioned, "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 internal 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 undoubtedly be a focal point for F1 enthusiasts and experts alike.