During the open lap of the Monaco Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon from the Alpine team attempted to overtake his teammate, Pierre Gasly. Not only did this not work due to the track limits for overtaking, but it cast doubt on the driver's Formula 1 future with Alpine. Ocon’s car was launched into the air after making tyre-to-tyre contact with Gasly, as he aggressively dived down the inside at Portier's turn eight.
Alpine Boss Famin Hints at Tough Decision
The collision forced the driver's retirement and earned him a five-place grid penalty for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix. The Alpine Team Principal Bruno Famin labelled the move as ‘‘entirely uncalled for.’’ Famin hinted at severe disciplinary actions, including the possibility of benching Ocon for the upcoming Canadian race as team discipline and taking the action further by replacing him beyond the upcoming Grand Prix.
Gasly, Furious, Calls for Solutions
Fortunately, Gasly managed to finish 10th and scored a point for Alpine. He could be heard on his team radio furiously asking, ''What is he doing?’’, referring to Ocon. After the race, he expressed his frustration, stating: "It shouldn't have happened, and for the team, we can't afford to have this sort of behavior.’’ Ocon explained that the drivers had clear instructions before the race. He emphasized the need to find solutions to prevent similar incidents between teammates in the future.
Ocon Apologizes, but Damage May Be Done
While Ocon took responsibility for the collision and apologized on social media, taking responsibility because ‘‘the gap was too small in the end.’’ Martin Brundle from Sky Sports suggested that it could cost him his Formula 1 future as ‘‘no top team would entertain such behavior’'.
A Costly Mistake for Ocon's Career Prospects
With Ocon’s contract expiring at the end of the season, the Monaco incident could help Alpine is considering their options quicker which could prove costly for the Frenchman’s career. The team’s decision on Ocon’s future will likely depend on their overall view of the incident, his performance, and his attitude as a team player.
Potential Replacements Lining Up
Alpine will have plenty of options in case they decide to break things off with Ocon. Prime examples like Nyck de Vries and Mick Schumacher might be chosen for the position.
Mick Schumacher, the son of the renowned Michael Schumacher, has made a strong impression in his first season with Haas, proving to be a valuable addition to the Alpine lineup. Meanwhile, Nyck de Vries, the current Formula E champion, has been associated with a potential switch to Formula 1.
However, In the meantime, Famin was seen on the roof of the Alpine pit building talking to reserve driver Jack Doohan. Could he be replacing Ocon in the next race?
A Critical Moment for Ocon's Career
It is not yet known where Esteban Ocon will be driving next year. However, it’s quite clear that Ocon won’t be driving with Alpine in 2025 (or sooner than we think!) as both the team and the driver are fed up with each other and Ocon has a childhood rivalry with teammate Pierre Gasly only fuels the tension in the Alpine pit.
With an expiring contract and enough experience, he could be a solid runner-up for Mercedes who are still yet to announce who will be driving alongside George Russell for 2025. It’s also good to note that Mercedes still manages Ocon, and he still makes part of the Mercedes junior unit.
As the paddock heads to Canada, all eyes will be on Ocon and Alpine, as the team weighs its options and makes a decision that could shape the future of both the driver and the team.
