The Monaco Formula 1 GP was an uneventful affair for long periods. However, Esteban Ocon was not able to experience it from the car, because for the Alpine driver the F1 race ended after the first lap and that was entirely his own fault.
In the Portier curve, actually anything but a typical overtaking spot, he rode against his teammate Pierre Gasly launched an aggressive attack. This resulted in contact between the two Alpine drivers. Gasly survived the collision and was able to finish the race in tenth position – which was his first Formula 1 point of the season. Ocon’s car, however, was thrown into the air and was too badly damaged to continue the race.
Bruno Famin reprimands Ocon: That was completely inappropriate
The incident left Alpine in a state of confusion. Team boss Bruno Famin let his anger vent during the race. In an interview with the French TV channel Canal+, he said: “It’s sad to see such an incident. That’s exactly what we don’t want to see. Esteban’s attack was completely inappropriate.”
“There, on the first lap, in Le Portier, it was frankly not the right place for an attack and he left no room for his teammate,” Famin said, annoyed about the circumstances of the attack.
Ocon’s Alpine future: What consequences does the accident have?
Famin threatened Ocon with consequences for the collision within the team. “We will make a tough decision,” he announced. He left open what these consequences might be. In any case, Ocon’s contract expires at the end of the season, as does that of his teammate. It is not yet possible to estimate whether Famin is alluding to this and whether the accident could have an impact on the contract negotiations with the team from Enstone.
The stewards have already drawn their own conclusions from the situation and imposed a grid penalty for the next race in which Ocon will start. In Canada, he will have to move back five places.
Esteban Ocon apologizes: It was my fault
Ocon acknowledged his mistake and apologized to the team on social media. “Today’s incident was my fault, the gap was too small and I apologize to the team for that,” he wrote during the race.
The relationship between Ocon and Gasly has always been difficult. Even before the two became teammates at Alpine in 2023, it was an open secret that the two Frenchmen were not the best of friends. On the track, things have remained quiet between the two. They themselves have always emphasized that they maintain a professional relationship as teammates.
The Alpine accident between Ocon and Gasly was not the only crash on the first lap. A collision between Sergio Perez and the two Haas drivers even resulted in a red flag.