Alpine Formulation 1 group principal Oliver Oakes has welcomed Esteban Ocon to return to the group’s Enstone base to say his goodbyes forward of his transfer to Haas.
The Frenchman stood apart for Jack Doohan forward of the ultimate race of the season, with the transfer shrouded in controversy as sources revealed Ocon found the choice – which was defined as crucial to permit him to drive for Haas within the post-season Abu Dhabi take a look at day – hours earlier than the Qatar Grand Prix.
It emerged forward of the Abu Dhabi season-finale that Ocon was taken abruptly given he had organised a particular crash helmet for the race to say farewell to the group that supplied him a second likelihood in F1 in 2020, when it was then underneath the Renault guise.
In a social media submit, Ocon mentioned: “To the a whole lot of hard-working women and men at Enstone and Viry, I apologise that I won’t be able come see you in individual and have a correct farewell.
“As you realize, the plan was all the time to race one final time this weekend and personally say goodbye to you all subsequent week. I used to be trying ahead to each of these issues.
“This isn’t how I needed issues to finish.”
However enjoying down the problem of Ocon being unable to go to, Oakes mentioned after the group secured sixth within the constructors’ standings at Yas Marina: “Esteban can have a guard of honour if he needs. He is bought to return by. I am really severe.
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524
Picture by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Photos
“Look, individuals say that [he was harshly treated], however I believe it is probably not proper. I believe on the finish of the day, he had an possibility. He selected to begin together with his new group earlier. That is high-quality. I am cool with that.
“We have been texting, and I have been trustworthy, he is welcome to return to Enstone, if you would like, like every part was deliberate. I’ve additionally been actually trustworthy that he is been an enormous a part of the group, not simply earlier years, however even in my brief stint.
“I’ve a variety of admiration for him, however I believe additionally now we have to do what’s proper for us and getting Jack within the automobile earlier, it is a large benefit after we look to subsequent 12 months.
“The groups we’re combating have all bought rookies who’ve had a little bit of expertise underneath their belt and for me, it could appear a bit of bit harsh, however actually, that is not the motive in any respect.”
On this article
Ewan Gale
Formulation 1
Esteban Ocon
Alpine
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