Shots Fired: Alpine Faces Uphill Battle Managing Esteban Ocon Amid Exit Turmoil

"Gunfire reported" as Alpine is informed they have "a task ahead" to handle Esteban Ocon.

"There might be some paranoia setting in. You're unsure about who your allies are within the team."

Alpine has been cautioned that handling Esteban Ocon, who is set to leave the team, might be challenging for the remainder of the year.

A few days after it was announced that Ocon, who has been facing criticism, will leave Alpine at the conclusion of this season, he had a tense incident with his team in Canada.

Ocon challenged a directive from his team, which he ultimately obeyed, to let his teammate Pierre Gasly pass him in the final moments of the F1 Canadian Grand Prix.

Ocon described the request as "nonsense" but decided to give Alpine "the benefit of the doubt".

Tom Clarkson, the host of the F1 Nation podcast, commented: "He believes he's been overly kind? Shots have been fired!"

Esteban faced a challenging couple of weekends. First, there was the collision with Pierre in Monaco. Then, he had tough discussions with his team, and upon arriving in Montreal, he received the news that he would be departing from the team.

"It was challenging. Additionally, the car didn't perform well during a single lap in dry conditions."

"He was at a disadvantage heading into the grand prix. His car had mechanical problems while on the starting grid. As I walked by, I saw mechanics all around the vehicle, and there were doubts about whether he would even be able to start the race."

“Taking everything into account, he performed exceptionally well in the race!”

"When he declares 'I am too nice,' it signifies a boundary, implying that he won't repeat the behavior."

Natalie Pinkham responded by saying, "I hope he looks back and realizes his achievements once things calm down."

"It’s important to keep in mind that he's currently marketing himself to other teams in an effort to secure his future in Formula 1."

"I find it fascinating how drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Esteban, and Carlos Sainz experience a change in their mindset when they know they are about to leave a team."

"Maybe you start feeling a little paranoid. You're unsure about who your friends are on the team and how they will react to you."

"The dynamics shift when you're with a teammate. The way you share information also evolves."

"Consider Adrian Newey; he has essentially been marginalized from the inside."

After you deliver that announcement, everything shifts, and it becomes about how you handle it internally.

"Bruno Famin faces a challenging task in overseeing his pair of drivers."

Clarkson mentioned, "It seems Gasly will remain with the team, so they plan to involve him in technical discussions, but Ocon will be left out."

Last month in Monaco, Ocon sparked controversy by crashing into his teammate, Gasly, much to Alpine's disappointment.

Alpine is now searching for a new driver for the 2025 season, while Ocon needs to find a new team.

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