F1 driver Esteban Ocon has launched a passionate defence of himself in the form of a 13-post X rant after the Alpine driver came under fire for his race-costing mistake at the Monaco Grand Prix. The Frenchman decided to dive down the inside of his teammate, Pierre Gasly, at Portier ahead of the iconic Monaco tunnel but a clash of tyres forced his car up into the air before the session was red-flagged on Lap 1.
Thankfully for Alpine, it was only Ocon’s race that was scuppered as Gasly went on to score a championship point with a 10th-place finish. However, it didn’t stop team boss Bruno Famin from being furious. Famin warned Ocon would face consequences but it hasn’t cost him his seat for the Canadian Grand Prix on June 9. Ocon did apologise and take accountability for the mistake – but the 27-year-old has hit out at critics in a lengthy social media post.
“Much has been said in the aftermath of the Monaco Grand Prix. While I have received many messages of support, I have been deeply saddened by the amount of abuse and negativity that I have received online regarding my character, my driving, and my career,” he said. “Thanks to the hard work, support, and sacrifices of many people, I’ve raced in over 140 Grands Prix so far since my debut in 2016. I have always been a tough competitor, and, like most drivers, I’ve had my share of incidents.
“I have been lucky to race alongside talented and experienced teammates, including race winners Daniel, Checo and Pierre, and a double champion in Fernando. As teammates, we would often start races very close to each other which in some cases meant some tough battles on track, and sometimes contact. Of course, I have made honest mistakes. We are not robots; we are athletes pushing ourselves to the limit every day to achieve our dreams of winning races. F1 is a sport where emotions run high, and passions run deep.”
Ocon continued: “I see and feel this every weekend at the track and on social media… the good and the bad. But the misinformed statements and gross distortions that I have seen online in recent days about my ability to work with a team have been inaccurate, hurtful, and damaging. Since my first laps in motorsport, I have approached this sport with humility, professionalism, and respect. These values were instilled in me from a very young age.
“While each driver chases individual glory, this will always be a team sport first and foremost. I have always followed the instructions I have been given and raced to achieve the maximum for and with my team. I took responsibility for the incident on lap 1 last Sunday and, despite my DNF, I am glad the team added a point to the tally in what has been a difficult start to the season for all of us. I respect Pierre as a teammate and as a competitor. We have always worked collaboratively and professionally inside the team, and this will continue to be the case.
“There is no reward without risk in Formula One – and race starts are intense, even more so in Monaco where the opening lap can dictate your finishing result. In the end, we are all competitors and hard, fair racing throughout the field is what makes our sport so great and the main reason why I love this sport so much. I’m looking forward to competing in Montreal, in front of the fantastic Canadian fans, and to the exciting opportunities the future holds.”
Ocon is out of contract at Alpine at the end of this season, as is his teammate Gasly. Widespread changes could be set to take place at the French outfit, with Jack Doohan and Mick Schumacher a potential driver lineup from 2025.
