Following a tough finish to his Monaco Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon took to social media to deal with 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 Method 1 Monaco Grand Prix, Ocon tried a cross on Gasly, and the 2 Alpine drivers collided. The affect between the 2 teammates launched Ocon’s A524 into the air, earlier than crashing down on the Monte Carlo streets. Because of the harm 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 Staff Principal Bruno Famin spoke with French outlet CANAL+ and indicated there can be “penalties” for Ocon’s tried cross. These statements sparked hypothesis that Ocon can be benched for the Canadian Grand Prix, which is subsequent weekend in Montreal.
Ocon apologized to the staff internally, as properly on social media.
Nonetheless, the motive force took to social media once more to deal with the feedback he has seen since Sunday. “Whereas I’ve obtained many messages of assist, I’ve been deeply saddened by the quantity of abuse and negativity that I’ve obtained on-line relating to my character, my driving, and my profession,” started the assertion partially.
“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 might usually begin races very shut to one another which in some instances meant some robust battles on observe, and typically contact,” added the Alpine driver. “In fact, I’ve made sincere errors. We’re not robots; we’re athletes pushing ourselves to the restrict on daily basis 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 observe and on social media … the great and the unhealthy,” continued Ocon. “However the misinformed statements and gross distortions that I’ve seen on-line in current days about my capacity to work with a staff have been inaccurate, hurtful, and damaging.”
Ocon then concluded with a notice concerning the incident, in addition to a sign that he certainly can be within the automotive subsequent week.
“I took duty for the incident on lap 1 final Sunday and, regardless of my DNF, I’m glad the staff 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’ve all the time labored collaboratively and professionally contained in the staff, and this can proceed to be the case.
“I’m wanting ahead to competing in Montreal, in entrance of the unbelievable Canadian followers, and to the thrilling alternatives the longer term holds.”
You may see all the assertion right here:
The assertion comes at what may very well be a important 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 a lot of 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 — might affect his future prospects.
