Haas boss Ayao Komatsu stated he was fully in the dead of night about the way in which that Esteban Ocon’s first run for his group within the post-season Abu Dhabi take a look at was used as leverage in opposition to the French driver.
The Japanese had agreed with Alpine group principal Oliver Oakes a number of weeks in the past to be allowed to pay money for Ocon for subsequent week’s tyre take a look at on the Yas Marina circuit in a bid to offer him a head begin for subsequent 12 months.
Nevertheless, it emerged ultimately weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix that Alpine laid down an ultimatum to Ocon within the hours earlier than the race that if he didn’t hand over his race seat for this weekend then he wouldn’t be launched for the take a look at.
Following discussions between Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who nonetheless manages Ocon’s profession, a deal was reached for the Frenchman to step down, opening the way in which for Jack Doohan to make his grand prix debut.
However whereas that meant there was a situation that if Ocon refused to step apart then he could be pulled from the take a look at, Komatsu stated that he had had no indication from Alpine that it was doubtlessly going to alter its thoughts about making its driver obtainable.
Having agreed with Alpine group principal Oakes at a latest F1 Fee assembly about getting maintain of Ocon, Komatsu stated he had had no indication that there could possibly be a rethink.
“I spoke with Ollie in one of many F1 fee conferences…method earlier than I confirmed it,” defined Komatsu forward of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“[He said], it is okay, no downside. You’ll be able to have Ocon driving the automotive. Then what ought to we do with the go well with? Ought to we simply do it in a white go well with? Yeah, that is the only, is not it? Then that was it.
Esteban Ocon, Alpine F1 Staff
Picture by: Michael Potts / Motorsport Photographs
“I am fairly easy in that sense, that no matter goes on internally at Alpine has acquired nothing to do with me, proper? So for me, Ollie gave me his phrase, in order that was ok.”
Komatsu turned conscious after the Qatar GP concerning the potential change of circumstances however stated he would have anticipated Oakes to contact him if that was the case.
Requested if he knew concerning the take a look at getting used as leverage by Alpine, Komatsu stated: “I do not know, truthfully. No matter occurs in Alpine, it is acquired nothing to do with me internally.
“So far as I am involved, final time I spoke to Ollie about this, Ollie was comfortable that Esteban might drive for us within the post-season take a look at, and he hasn’t stated something totally different ever since.
“So if one thing modified, then I anticipate him to come back to speak to me about it. However he hasn’t. So he gave me his phrase. That was ok for me.”
Komatsu stated that Ocon would formally develop into a Haas driver on Monday, forward of his first run on this 12 months’s automotive within the tyre take a look at.
And whereas the way in which Ocon’s Alpine profession ended has prompted some to counsel he could possibly be further fired as much as make issues work with Haas, Komatsu thinks there was by no means any doubt about his motivation.
“I feel he is all the time been actually motivated anyway,” he stated. “That is one of many massive the explanation why I signed him. He is a very decided character and his work ethic is sweet – no matter if the automotive is fast sufficient or gradual.
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“Like originally of the season, when Alpine was completely nowhere, I feel he was nonetheless placing numerous effort in to encourage the group, to attempt to transfer the group ahead. I actually respect that. So I do not suppose motivation has ever been his downside.”
Requested if he was stunned that Alpine, which is locked in a good combat with Haas for sixth within the constructors’ championship, had put a rookie in for the ultimate spherical, Komatsu stated: “I would not [have done it] however then once more, no matter they do, it is acquired nothing to do with me.
“I am not right here to touch upon what they do. I am certain they’ve their very own causes. After which it is not my place to say something.”
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