Alpine Reportedly Seriously Considering Benching Ocon For One Race

Monday, 27 May 2024 at 22:00

The Alpine F1 team seems to be seriously considering benching Esteban Ocon for the lap one incident during the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix.

Esteban Ocon made a huge mistake during the opening lap of the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix as he dive-bombed his own teammate into turn number eight and caused a collision that would normally destroy the race for both Alpine drivers.

Fortunately, the race was red-flagged due to a different incident (between Sergio Perez and Kevin Magnussen) that took place earlier in the lap.

This meant anyone who could return to the pits and have his car repaired in time could continue the race from their original position.

While Ocon's car suffered too much damage, Gasly was able to continue and ultimately held on to his P10 to secure the French team's second valuable point this season.

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Nevertheless, Alpine's team principal, Bruno Famin, was clearly not happy as he threatened "consequences" for Ocon and talked about a "tough decision" he might have to make.

It is now widely speculated that this "tough decision" that Famin hinted might be benching Ocon for the next race- the Canadian Grand Prix. Sky Sports reporter, Craig Slater said:

"Famin spoke angrily. He talked about taking a tough decision which everyone has interpreted as benching Esteban Ocon for the next race in Canada."

"What I can say to you is that that is still a serious consideration for the Alpine boss, Bruno Famin."

If the Alpine team principal put Ocon aside for one race, Jack Doohan, who has been waiting for a miracle opportunity for some time now, is the most likely driver to be given a chance as a substitute. Slater added:

"He will do what is best for the team but if he decides that leaving Esteban Ocon out for a week as a demonstration of how team discipline needs to be he is prepared to do that but that decision has yet to be taken."

"There were face to face meetings between Ocon and Famin after the grand prix. Ocon apologised privately and publicly afterwards via social media. Let's see what happens."