Now that Alonso is out of the team, Ocon criticizes the Spaniard.
Once the 2022 Formula 1 season is over, Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso are now ‘free’ to talk about each other in front of the media, without fear that this will affect the performance of the Alpine team on the track… and Ocon has been in charge of throwing the first stone.
The Frenchman has done an interview with an important medium in his country, “L’Equipe”, and complains of having carried practically all the weight of the work within the team.
Esteban, who can boast of having been one of the few pilots with whom Alonso has shared a team to beat the Spaniard, and who will surely do so without taking into account the mechanical problems that the ’14’ has suffered throughout the season, he has now complained about the workload he had during 2022.
“I hope he changes (with his new partner, Pierre Gasly). Honestly, I carried 98% of the work on my back and Alonso only did 2%. I was not overloaded, but I did all the development in the simulator and participated in almost all marketing activities,” Ocon said.
“I think I can do that job well with Pierre. It will help me have more energy for the next season and I’m sure it will be much better,” he added.
Regarding his relationship with Alonso, Esteban has been upset by the Asturian’s comments after the sprint race in Brazil, where Fernando complained that his partner almost ran him into the wall on several occasions.
“I’m disappointed by his comments to the media. We didn’t have discussions about this issue and I prefer it to remain private and that we talk to each other. He didn’t do it and then he said that,” said the French pilot, who reiterated the respect he feels for Alonso despite the friction they have had this year.
“I respect what he has done on the track, his titles and the motivation he has at his age. It is good that he continues to compete in Aston Martin F1”; he pointed at him.
Now, with Pierre Gasly as a partner – with whom he has had his ups and downs, in F1 and in lower categories -, Ocon believes that Alpine, after finishing fourth in the Constructors’ Championship this season, can take another step forward.
“With two French drivers, at Alpine we hope to tickle the top three in the constructors’ championship in 2023,” he said, being very optimistic.
