Alpine boss Bruno Famin has asserted that Esteban Ocon will receive equal treatment across the remainder of the 2024 Formula 1 season despite his impending exit.
Ocon was vexed at the Canadian Grand Prix over not being returned ninth place when he’d given up a spot to allow team-mate Pierre Gasly to pursue Daniel Ricciardo.
The latest flashpoint inside the Enstone-based squad comes with tensions from Monaco still prevalent when Ocon was lambasted for his first-lap collision with Gasly.
Ocon has since been confirmed to be departing Alpine once this season concludes, but Famin has stated that the Frenchman’s prospects are not being compromised.
Famin assured Ocon, who also disclosed that he’s been running a heavier car than his compatriot, that his support within the team would remain unchanged this term.
Asked how relations were in the team now the dust had settled post-race, Famin told Autosport: “It has been sorted, but we had 16 and we now 15 races to go now.
“I think Esteban can count on all the team to help him to get the best result, because Esteban having the best result is helping the team having the best possible result.
“And we count on Esteban to bring everything he can bring to the team.
“I say it like that, but I should not – because Esteban is part of the team.
“The team is everybody within the team: driver, mechanic, engineer – everybody has to bring his own to make the best possible result for the team. And the driver is part of the team.”
Despite Ocon’s remonstrations, both Alpine cars came home inside the points for the first time this season to help the team climb up to eighth place in the standings.
With the Anglo-French marque two points behind Haas in seventh, Famin has stressed that it would be senseless to hinder one car’s chances as it strives to move up.
“We will not put aside Esteban at all,” he said. “He will have exactly the same condition as Pierre. They are on the same level, same status.
“We know they are very close in terms of the performance, and it won’t be good to do something different for anybody. Again, it’s team interest: Alpine interest first.”
Questioned on whether he harboured concerns over Ocon’s potential behaviour with his future residing outside Alpine, Famin said: “I don’t worry more than before…”
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