Esteban Ocon recalls the team-internal collision with Pierre Gasly and its consequences in an interview – What also helped him was the support in the paddock
The Monaco Grand Prix will inevitably leave a scar on Esteban Ocon’s 2024 Formula 1 season. Following the collision with his teammate Pierre Gasly, which provoked the ire of Alpine team boss Bruno Famin and a huge public backlash, Ocon endured a difficult few days.
The situation was resolved internally, and the threat of suspension or dismissal was finally clearly averted, despite much speculation.
His decision to leave the Enstone team for Haas at the end of this season is not directly linked to the controversy. But the event will reverberate, even if Ocon himself has put it behind him.
Today, the French driver remembers above all the harshness of social media, which prompted him to take a serious stance in order to put things in perspective. He also remembers the less visible support he received, including in the Formula 1 paddock.
Among other things, he received a call from Williams team boss James Vowles. “Yes, he did,” confirms Ocon. “Of course it’s good to get support from the right people,” “There was a lot of talk, which is never a pleasant thing. “
“When there’s noise from all sides, it always means that something big has happened. And of course it has caused too much of a stir, especially on social media, which Damon Hill also pointed out. He said: ‘I’m glad I wasn’t driving in the days of social media’,” recalls Ocon.
“In the past, you would have had a conversation with the press and then gone back to the next race. But that’s why I made the statement on social media – and it was important to make my voice heard at the time.”
Now there is “not much more to say”, emphasizes the Frenchman. “The things that happened are behind us and we are moving on.” He immediately took responsibility at the time, although he qualifies the criticism of the overtaking attempt itself.
“I made a mistake at the exit of the corner,” the Alpine driver states. “I didn’t leave enough space at the exit. But the attempt itself wasn’t bad. It was the exit that was too tight. Yes, I misjudged the distance there.”
“Unfortunately, we collided – and I apologized to the team, but it should have stopped from then on. Unfortunately, it didn’t. But things have moved on since then. People have calmed down on social media. That’s good. “
