Alpine Formulation 1 crew principal Oliver Oakes has welcomed Esteban Ocon to return to the crew’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 mandatory 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.
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It emerged forward of the Abu Dhabi season-finale that Ocon was taken unexpectedly given he had organised a particular crash helmet for the race to say farewell to the crew that supplied him a second probability in F1 in 2020, when it was then underneath the Renault guise.
In a social media put up, Ocon mentioned: “To the lots of of hard-working women and men at Enstone and Viry, I apologise that I will be unable come see you in particular person and have a correct farewell.
“As you understand, the plan was at all times to race one final time this weekend and personally say goodbye to you all subsequent week. I used to be wanting ahead to each of these issues.
“This isn’t how I needed issues to finish.”
However taking part in down the problem of Ocon being unable to go to, Oakes mentioned after the crew secured sixth within the constructors’ standings at Yas Marina: “Esteban can have a guard of honour if he desires. He is received to return by. I am truly severe.
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524
Picture by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Photos
“Look, folks say that [he was harshly treated], however I believe it is not likely proper. I believe on the finish of the day, he had an possibility. He selected to begin together with his new crew earlier. That is tremendous. 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 thing was deliberate. I’ve additionally been actually trustworthy that he is been an enormous a part of the crew, not simply earlier years, however even in my quick stint.
“I’ve a number of admiration for him, however I believe additionally we’ve to do what’s proper for us and getting Jack within the automotive earlier, it is a large benefit once we look to subsequent 12 months.
“The groups we’re preventing have all received rookies who’ve had a little bit of expertise underneath their belt and for me, it might appear slightly bit harsh, however actually, that is not the cause in any respect.”
On this article
Ewan Gale
Formulation 1
Esteban Ocon
Alpine
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