Alpine season turns to turmoil at Monaco

Alpine's Monaco Collision: A Terminal Flashpoint for Ocon and Gasly

The relationship between Alpine's Formula 1 teammates, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, has long been tense. Despite the friction, there haven’t been many major incidents between them until the Monaco Grand Prix collision, which feels like a defining moment. Our team analyzes the implications of this shunt and team boss Bruno Famin’s reaction, alongside the drivers' perspectives.

Credit: XPB images

A Volatile Line-Up

Alpine's driver pairing has always been precarious, requiring delicate management over the past year and a half. However, it seems this issue won't be a concern for much longer. As F1’s silly season progresses, Ocon has frequently been linked with a move away from Alpine, while Gasly has not. Expectations point towards a "Gasly plus one" scenario for 2025.

This outcome was anticipated due to their fraught relationship. They first collided in Australia last year and have had near-misses since then. The clash in Monaco, however, severely upset the team. Gasly insinuated that there was a pre-race agreement to prioritize the car that qualified ahead, suggesting Ocon violated this understanding.

The Incident

It would be unfair to completely blame Ocon, as race circumstances can change unpredictably, sometimes necessitating unexpected maneuvers. However, the incident in Monaco did not stem from such a situation. Ocon faced immediate backlash from team boss Bruno Famin, who had already feared such a scenario on Sunday morning. Famin’s emotional response to French media pinned the blame entirely on Ocon and hinted at severe consequences.

Potential Consequences

A drastic response could involve benching Ocon and giving reserve driver Jack Doohan – a potential 2025 race seat contender – a chance to prove himself. However, more subtle, internal measures might be deemed appropriate. Regardless of the short-term consequences, the long-term outlook is clear: this teammate pairing is nearing its end.

The Bigger Picture

The tension between Ocon and Gasly goes beyond a single incident. Ocon has not always been the aggressor, but the cumulative strain, frequent conflicts, and significant consequences are unsustainable. The Monaco collision was merely a tipping point in a relationship already under immense pressure.

Conclusion

Alpine's management of Ocon and Gasly’s volatile partnership has reached a critical juncture. The Monaco incident underscores the impracticality of maintaining this duo beyond the current season. As the team looks ahead to 2025, it's evident that changes are imminent to foster a more harmonious and competitive environment.