Esteban Ocon has defended himself with a 13 half assertion on X, following rumours and hypothesis he’ll miss the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix after an incident along with his teammate on the Monaco Grand Prix final weekend.
In an bold transfer, the Frenchman tried an overtake on his teammate, Pierre Gasly, on the within at Portier, heading into the well-known Monaco tunnel. Nevertheless, the transfer resulted within the pair banging tyres, sending Ocon’s automobile airborne, all earlier than the race was crimson flagged for an earlier incident.
Whereas BWT Alpine F1 Workforce managed to salvage a singular level with Gasly’s tenth place end, the incident wasn’t with out penalties for Ocon. Workforce boss Bruno Famin expressed his anger on French TV and hinted at repercussions, although it’s now identified that Ocon has retained his seat for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix. Regardless of taking duty for the crash along with his apology, the 27-year-old driver additionally took to social media to deal with the web criticism he obtained.
The prolonged X assertion learn as follows:
“A lot has been mentioned within the aftermath of the Monaco Grand Prix. Whereas I’ve obtained many messages of help, I’ve been deeply saddened by the quantity of abuse and negativity that I’ve obtained on-line relating to my character, my driving, and my profession. Because of the arduous work, help, and sacrifices of many individuals, I’ve raced in over 140 Grands Prix to this point since my debut in 2016. I’ve at all times been a troublesome competitor, and, like most drivers, I’ve had my share of incidents.
“I’ve been fortunate to race alongside gifted and skilled teammates, together with race winners Daniel [Ricciardo], Checo [Perez] and Pierre [Gasly], and a double champion in Fernando [Alonso]. As teammates, we’d typically begin races very shut to one another which in some instances meant some robust battles on monitor, and generally contact. After all, I’ve made sincere errors. We’re not robots; we’re athletes pushing ourselves to the restrict every single day to realize our goals of successful races. F1 is a sport the place feelings run excessive, and passions run deep.
“I see and really feel this each weekend on the monitor and on social media… the great and the unhealthy. However the misinformed statements and gross distortions that I’ve seen on-line in current days about my skill to work with a crew have been inaccurate, hurtful, and damaging. Since my first laps in motorsport, I’ve approached this sport with humility, professionalism, and respect. These values have been instilled in me from a really younger age.
“Whereas every driver chases particular person glory, this may at all times be a crew sport at the beginning. I’ve at all times adopted the directions I’ve been given and raced to realize the utmost for and with my crew. I took duty for the incident on lap 1 final Sunday and, regardless of my DNF, I’m glad the crew added some extent to the tally in what has been a tough begin to the season for all of us. I respect Pierre [Gasly] as a teammate and as a competitor. We’ve got at all times labored collaboratively and professionally contained in the crew, and this may proceed to be the case.
“There isn’t a reward with out danger in Method One – and race begins are intense, much more so in Monaco the place the opening lap can dictate your ending end result. Ultimately, we’re all opponents and arduous, honest racing all through the sector is what makes our sport so nice and the primary motive why I really like this sport a lot. I’m wanting ahead to competing in Montreal, in entrance of the unbelievable Canadian followers, and to the thrilling alternatives the long run holds.”
Alpine’s poor begin to 2024 has been nicely documented and there might be widespread modifications going into 2025, with each Ocon and his teammate, Gasly, out of contract and as race winners they’ll each need to be at a crew larger up the grid. This would go away Alpine with fairly the dilemma, though they do have Jack Doohan ready for his likelihood in F1.
