Esteban Ocon releases a long and strongly-worded statement regarding the recent F1 Monaco GP happenings, amid host of online abuse.
After what happened on Lap 1 in F1 Monaco GP between the Alpine drivers Gasly and Ocon, there has been several rumours about the latter losing his drive especially due to the comments made from Bruno Famin about having ‘consequences’.
It led to several media publication make speculation about Ocon not even racing in Canadian GP, but all of it remains untrue. The Frenchman in a long and strongly-worded statement denounced those making assumptions about his F1 future.
Gasly started ahead of Ocon in Monaco GP but the latter tried a move on the former in the approach of the tunnel when their wheels touched. The latter went airborne before coming down resulting in his retirement despite the red flag stoppage.
Ocon accepted blame and was handed a 10s time penalty which converted into a 5-place grid drop for Canadian GP. Post-race, Gasly noted about an agreement before the race for his teammate to help him to remain in points, if he remains ahead in the order.
But with Ocon making a move on Gasly, he reckoned that broke the agreement. They certainly held conversations since then behind the closed doors which is normal practice anyhow after any grand prix event, but this one must have had more discussions.
The social media has jumped on the bandwagon with abuses for Ocon, questioning his driving style and integrity. His actions have always come under scanner against his teammates, be it Sergio Perez and or Fernando Alonso, with Gasly joining the list.
Ocon has strong words in his defence, while acknowledging that emotions may run high at certain points, but there is a limit to everything. “Much has been said in the aftermath of the Monaco Grand Prix,” he wrote in a long statement. “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.
“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. 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,” summed up Ocon.
Here’s Pierre Gasly on Esteban Ocon tangle
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