Alpine downplayed the late dramas and team orders involving their drivers, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, during the F1 Japanese Grand Prix. These incidents were not shown on the world feed, and it seems they were not as prominent as the team orders seen at other teams like McLaren and Mercedes. Ocon had a challenging start to the race due to an incident near Turn 1.
Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer said that the team orders were “standard procedure” and that there was “nothing to see”. He added that the team was “happy” with the result of the race, which saw Gasly finish in fifth place and Ocon finish in seventh.
However, some observers have suggested that Alpine’s team orders may have been more controversial than Szafnauer is letting on. For example, some have pointed out that Ocon was told to let Gasly pass him even though Ocon was ahead of Gasly at the time. Others have also questioned why Alpine did not pit Ocon for fresh tires when he was running in fifth place, which could have potentially allowed him to finish higher in the race.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they believe Alpine’s team orders were justified. However, it is clear that these incidents have raised some questions about the team’s decision-making process.
During the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon had a difficult start to the race. As he approached Turn 1, he was too close to Valtteri Bottas from Alfa Romeo, and the two cars made contact. Additionally, Bottas also made contact with Alexander Albon from Williams on the outside of the turn. This chain reaction forced Ocon to make an unscheduled pit stop early in the race to address any damage to his car.
Because of this incident, Ocon’s race strategy diverged from that of his teammate Pierre Gasly from the beginning of the race. Ocon had to make two pit stops early on due to his Lap 1 troubles, while Gasly’s pit stop occurred later in the race. As a result, Gasly found himself behind Ocon after his own pit stop.
This sequence of events created drama and tension within the Alpine team during the race, as they had to manage the differing strategies of their two drivers and navigate the challenges posed by the incident at Turn 1.
During the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, despite being on fresher tires, Alpine instructed Esteban Ocon to let his teammate, Pierre Gasly, pass and chase down Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. Alpine promised Ocon that Gasly would return the favor by letting him through if he couldn’t catch Alonso.
This decision by Alpine puzzled Gasly because, in his view, he already had an advantage with his fresh set of tires and didn’t require team orders to pass Ocon. As a result, Gasly didn’t feel it was justified to give back the position to Ocon, which led to some late radio communication between both drivers as they discussed the team’s decision.
The situation created some tension and debate within the Alpine team, as both drivers had different perspectives on whether team orders were necessary in this instance.
During the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, Pierre Gasly eventually slowed down and allowed Esteban Ocon to pass, giving up ninth place as per Alpine’s team orders. However, Gasly’s onboard camera footage clearly displayed his displeasure with the situation, and this continued to be a point of contention between the two drivers even after the race, both in parc fermé and in the media pen. Gasly believed that such team orders were unnecessary.
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Esteban Ocon, on the other hand, remained calm about the situation and managed to recover to ninth place despite the issues he faced during Lap 1. Alpine team chief Bruno Famin downplayed the situation but acknowledged that there may have been a communication issue within the team that led to the disagreement between the drivers.
Pierre Gasly expressed his confusion and frustration regarding the team orders during the F1 Japanese Grand Prix. He explained that the team’s initial plan was for Esteban Ocon to undercut him with a different strategy. Gasly expected that if Ocon undercut him, he would eventually have to pass Ocon back, as Gasly’s race pace was faster. However, Gasly did not expect the team to ask him to give up his position to Ocon on the last lap, as he had started the race ahead and was always in front.
Gasly mentioned that the team did not discuss this specific scenario before the race, and he believed that he would overtake Ocon on track due to having fresher tires, which was part of the strategy. Despite the confusion, Gasly expressed his willingness to talk with Ocon and the team to resolve the issue and ensure fair play in future races.
Pierre Gasly reiterated his commitment to putting the team’s interests first and respected the team’s decision to let Esteban Ocon pass, even though he didn’t understand the reason behind it. He emphasized that he always gives his best effort behind the wheel and that the team’s strategy was a collective effort to secure the best possible outcome for both cars. Gasly acknowledged that it was ultimately about earning points for the team, and he was willing to move forward and focus on the team’s performance in future races.
Esteban Ocon explained that the team’s long-standing rule has been to swap positions initially, and if the driver in the front car can’t get ahead, they switch back before the end of the race. He emphasized that this rule has been applied consistently within the team, whether it’s him, Pierre Gasly, Daniel Ricciardo, or Fernando Alonso. Ocon expressed his preference for on-track battles but also understood the team’s perspective, which aims to maximize points. He commended the team for their good teamwork and felt that they had achieved the best possible result.
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Bruno Famin, speaking through Motorsport Network, emphasized that there are no issues between the drivers. He acknowledged that they are all competing to achieve their best individual results, which is expected and part of their roles. However, Famin highlighted that they are also responsible for achieving the best team results. He mentioned that in the stress of the race, there may be strong statements made, but he had no doubt that the drivers are aligned in their commitment to the team’s goals. Famin clarified that leaving Pierre Gasly in front of Esteban Ocon initially was to provide the small possibility of catching Fernando Alonso, but when that didn’t materialize, it was normal to swap positions back.
Bruno Famin explained that the team needs to address the issue to ensure transparency. He mentioned that sometimes communication problems arise due to poor radio connections or misunderstandings between engineers and drivers. Famin emphasized the importance of checking whether the driver received the information correctly. Despite any communication challenges, he reiterated that the team’s decision to swap positions was made in the best interests of the team, and he had no doubt that both drivers understand and agree with that decision.
Bruno Famin downplayed any tension between the drivers, stating that they are all competitive individuals who want to achieve their best results. He mentioned that drivers may express disappointment after a race, which is normal, but he emphasized that there is no underlying tension within the team. Famin believes that any reactions or emotions displayed by the drivers immediately after a race are temporary and not indicative of long-term issues within the team. He expressed confidence that the drivers understand their roles and the team’s objectives, and they are capable of working together effectively in future races.
