Alpine allegedly wanted to suspend Ocon for the Canadian GP

Alpine had planned to suspend Esteban Ocon for this week’s Canadian Grand Prix after he clashed with teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco, according to a report in the French daily. The team.

Ocon clashed with Gasly on the first lap of the race in the Principality when he opted for a risky maneuver on the inside lane in the tight Portier corner and collided with his teammate at the exit.

The collision sent Ocon flying and he was forced to retire, while Gasly was fortunate enough to drive his car to the checkered flag and secure a place in the top ten.

However, Ocon’s manoeuvre, for which the Frenchman was demoted five places for next weekend’s race in Montreal, aroused the anger of Alpine team boss Bruno Famin.

In the heat of the moment, the latter threatened consequences and hinted at a possible punishment for Ocon.

Ultimately, however, Alpine will tackle the Canadian Grand Prix with its usual line-up, but Famin’s original plan was to punish Ocon for his unfortunate switch by taking him out of the race this week at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

But The team claims that it was Alpine F1’s lawyers who advised Famin not to take action as they feared Ocon would challenge the decision and fight back on legal grounds.

“The team bosses’ wish was clear: to suspend their driver for the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday and put reserve driver Jack Doohan in the cockpit,” wrote the French daily.

“A decision that had to be approved by the lawyers of the Normandy-based manufacturer.”

However, Alpine apparently had no desire to be faced with another legal dispute like the one with Oscar Piastri in the summer of 2022.

“This time, based on the advice of its legal team, Alpine was clear that it would be more than risky to suspend Ocon in Canada,” The team added.

“The risk was to see him arrive in Montreal with a bailiff who would take note of the withdrawal of his work permit and enforce his legal right to participate in races and thus get in his car.”

On Monday, Alpine and Ocon announced they would part ways at the end of the 2024 season, but the latter vowed to put his “full focus” on delivering on the track and having a successful rest of the season.

But in the light The According to reports, there could be tensions in the Alpine camp in Canada this week.

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