Following a tough finish to his Monaco Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon took to social media to handle what he referred to as “abuse and negativity” directed to him on-line following his opening-lap crash with teammate Pierre Gasly.
Shortly after the begin to final Sunday’s System 1 Monaco Grand Prix, Ocon tried a cross on Gasly, and the 2 Alpine drivers collided. The impression between the 2 teammates launched Ocon’s A524 into the air, earlier than crashing down on the Monte Carlo streets. Because of the injury to the ground of Ocon’s A524, his race was over.
Race stewards investigated the collision and located Ocon “wholly accountable,” issuing a ten second penalty. With Ocon having retired from the race, that penalty was transformed to a 5 place grid drop, which the motive force will serve on the subsequent race.
Instantly following the incident Workforce Principal Bruno Famin spoke with French outlet CANAL+ and indicated there could be “penalties” for Ocon’s tried cross. These statements sparked hypothesis that Ocon could be benched for the Canadian Grand Prix, which is subsequent weekend in Montreal.
Ocon apologized to the crew internally, as effectively on social media.
Nevertheless, the motive force took to social media once more to handle the feedback he has seen since Sunday. “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 concerning my character, my driving, and my profession,” started the assertion partly.
“I’ve all the time been a tricky competitor, and, like most drivers, I’ve had my share of incidents. I’ve been fortunate to race alongside proficient and skilled teammates, together with race winners Daniel [Ricciardo], Checo [Sergio Pérez] and Pierre, and a double champion in Fernando [Alonso],” continued Ocon.
“As teammates, we’d usually begin races very shut to one another which in some circumstances meant some powerful battles on monitor, and generally contact,” added the Alpine driver. “After all, I’ve made sincere errors. We’re not robots; we’re athletes pushing ourselves to the restrict day by day to attain our desires of profitable 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 nice and the dangerous,” continued Ocon. “However the misinformed statements and gross distortions that I’ve seen on-line in current days about my potential to work with a crew have been inaccurate, hurtful, and damaging.”
Ocon then concluded with a be aware concerning the incident, in addition to a sign that he certainly will likely be within the automobile subsequent week.
“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,” continued Ocon. “I respect Pierre as a teammate and as a competitor. We have now all the time labored collaboratively and professionally contained in the crew, and this may proceed to be the case.
“I’m wanting ahead to competing in Montreal, in entrance of the implausible Canadian followers, and to the thrilling alternatives the longer term holds.”
You’ll be able to see the complete assertion right here:
The assertion comes at what could possibly be a essential time in Ocon’s profession, as the motive force is about to see his contract with Alpine expire on the finish of the season. Ocon has been linked with various open seats for subsequent yr, in addition to a possible return to Alpine, and you’ll see from his feedback there may be real concern that the incident in Monaco — in addition to the aftermath — may impression his future prospects.
