Ocon makes serious accusations against Alpine team – Alpine driver Esteban Ocon has recently voiced serious concerns about his treatment within the team, hinting at possible favouritism or disadvantage as the Formula One season draws to a close. Ocon, who is set to leave Alpine at the end of the year, has pointed out that the performance of his car has dropped significantly since the Austin Grand Prix.
“Since Austin, only one car has been fast: Pierre’s,” said Ocon, referring to his team-mate Pierre Gasly. “Unfortunately, we have not been fast since Austin and that could cost us dearly in the championship.”
Ocon’s frustration stems not only from his personal disappointment, but also from the wider implications for Alpine in the Constructors’ Championship. The team currently sits in seventh place, just one point behind Haas and three ahead of the Racing Bulls. In such a tight battle, consistent performances from both drivers are crucial.
Alpine’s fight for the Constructors’ Championship
Every race counts for Alpine as they try to maintain their position in the Constructors’ Championship. A further drop in the standings could have significant financial and reputational implications. This makes Ocon’s allegations particularly worrying, as the team can ill afford internal discord at such a critical time.
Acknowledging that the situation is puzzling, Ocon said, “We have to see what exactly is going on to hopefully improve the situation for the next races. But yes, at the moment it seems to be difficult for us. If you just drive the race for nothing, it’s not good.”
Despite his frustration, Ocon has ruled out the possibility that Alpine’s car development has deliberately put him at a disadvantage, noting, “That’s clearly not the case.”
Instead, he believes there is a wider issue at play.
“Since Austin, from the outside, it looks like nothing is working. And we have to make sure that this is no longer the case.”
Marko queries Ferraro decision to recruit Hamilton
Alpine team boss responds to allegations
Oliver Oakes denies favouritism
Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes was quick to dismiss Ocon’s allegations of unfair treatment. Oakes explained, “From our point of view both cars are exactly the same. They both have the update.
We can rule out a source of error on our part. But we will continue to look into it to make things better for him.
Oakes, who took over as Team Principal midway through the 2024 season, has a unique perspective on driver dynamics. As a former racer himself, he understands the pressures and frustrations that can arise during difficult times.
“Drivers are always unflappable when it comes to this sort of thing,” said Oakes, adding with a smile, “I know, I used to be one!”
Oakes raced in the GP3 series – now Formula 3 – in 2010 before moving into team management. His experience as a racer and team principal gives him insight into the challenges facing Ocon.
However, he believes the root cause of Ocon’s problems lies elsewhere.
Verstappen’s manager threatens Red Bull
Identifying the root cause of Ocon’s struggles
Oakes has identified qualifying performance as a key area of concern for Ocon, describing it as “the root of all evil”. He noted that while Ocon has shown potential, inconsistencies in qualifying have made life difficult for the driver and the team.
“We need to make sure he feels more comfortable,” said Oakes.
“The positive thing is that he was only about a tenth off Q3 in Las Vegas and the race pace was very good. It’s just a shame that we made it harder than it needed to be.”
The comment alludes to a high-profile pitlane mishap during the Las Vegas Grand Prix. After an early stint, Ocon pitted for a tyre change but found no mechanics ready to service his car. Forced to drive through the pit lane without stopping, Ocon lost crucial time.
His race engineer reassured him over the radio: “Not your fault. Oakes also admitted that the incident was entirely a team error.”
Mercedes claim they have the secret for 2025 title chase
A tumultuous end to the 2024 season: Tensions amid internal challenges
With just a handful of races left in the 2024 Formula One season, tensions within Alpine are palpable. Ocon’s comments have put the spotlight on internal dynamics and raised questions about whether the team is fully united in its push for better results.
For Ocon, who is set to leave at the end of the year, the situation is particularly tense. His allegations, while denied by the team, suggest that all is not well behind the scenes.
Whether his concerns are the result of genuine discrepancies or a personal sense of frustration remains to be seen.
Moving forward: Can Alpine recover?
Alpine must now focus on stabilising their performance and resolving any outstanding issues in order to finish the season on a high. Oakes has promised to investigate the causes of Ocon’s struggles and ensure that the team can deliver consistent results in the final races. Whether this will be enough to allay Ocon’s concerns or secure Alpine’s position in the Constructors’ Championship remains to be seen.
As the Formula One paddock prepares for the season finale, all eyes will be on Alpine to see if they can overcome their challenges and put both drivers in a position to succeed. The stakes are high and the drama surrounding Ocon’s allegations only adds to the intrigue.
READ MORE – Newey replacement “not confident” for 2025
MORE F1 NEWS – Cadillac F1’s first driver named
Formula One continues to expand its reach into new areas and partnerships, and its latest development could be a game changer. General Motors (GM), through its Cadillac brand, has finalised a deal to enter the premier class of motorsport in 2026.
The venture, in partnership with Andretti Global, revives their long-standing interest in joining the Formula One grid. As the project takes shape, racing legend Mario Andretti has confirmed that an American IndyCar driver remains a strong contender for a seat in the new team…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
