Esteban Ocon ‘saddened’ by online attacks after crash into Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly
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Alpine driver Esteban Ocon has blasted social media attacks directed at him following his crash with teammate Pierre Gasly at the Monaco Grand Prix.
EPA-EFE
PARIS – Formula One driver Esteban Ocon spoke out on May 31 against social media attacks directed at him, following his Monaco Grand Prix opening-lap crash with Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly.
The Frenchman incurred the wrath of his team boss Bruno Famin
“This kind of incident is quite sad. Esteban’s attack on Gasly was exactly what we did not want to see and we will draw the consequences,” Famin said.
That led to suggestions that the team may suspend Ocon for the Canadian Grand Prix on June 9, but when contacted by AFP, Alpine said they “would not comment” on that, describing a possible ban as just a “rumour”.
The driver himself has said that he is “looking forward to competing in Montreal”.
Ocon, who picked up a five-place grid penalty for the Canadian race, also immediately accepted blame for the incident which infuriated his fellow Frenchman Gasly as well.
“A lot was said after the Monaco Grand Prix,” he wrote on May 31.
“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.
“The distorted comments and gross misinformation that I’ve seen online over the past few days regarding my capacity to work with a team are false, hurting and damaging.”
The 27-year-old, who has started 141 races but is out of contract at the end of the season, added that he had always followed instructions and raced to achieve the best for his team.
However, there will sometimes be tough battles and occasional contact.
“Of course I have made honest mistakes. We are not robots,” Ocon said.
“F1 is a sport where emotions run high, and passions run deep. I see and feel this every weekend at the track and on social media... the good and the bad.”
Despite his retirement in Monaco and the online furore that followed, he was also happy that the team had added a point – Gasly finished 10th – in what had been a difficult start to the season.
Renault-owned Alpine have had a tough campaign, so far collecting only two points and languishing in ninth place.
“I respect Pierre as a teammate and rival. We’ve always worked collaboratively and professionally in the team and that’s going to continue,” Ocon insisted.
“I can’t wait to race in Montreal.” AFP, REUTERS
