Alpine threatens Alonso and Ocon to end the year in their cars!

Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon they have at several grands prix this season. Alpine did not put order between its two pilots and that was about to end in an accident in the GP of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia or even at the exit of Hungarian GP. Those fratricidal battles damaged the career of one of the two drivers or the entire team, and that was reflected in their points. And finally, came the handle Brazilin all defense in fourth place at Constructors’ Championship against McLaren, at an important moment as it is the penultimate race weekend of the year. In the sprint appointment, Ocon didn’t leave enough space in turn 4 and Alonso was about to go wide and spin. And immediately after, alonso He grabbed Esteban from behind when he wanted to pass him at the finish line. They start at the back on Sunday with a Alpine fast, but needs to make clean runs to defend against McLaren. Therefore, in the meeting that took place within the group, Laurent Rossi, CEO of AlpineHe said he restrained both drivers, even threatening to eject them from their vehicles.

“I reminded them of our contracts and I reminded them that I have many drivers who hope to race in their place, and it is a shame to end the year with two other drivers, even if it is worth the mine a lot..”expressed Laurent in Abu Dhabi.

“They took responsibility and did a brilliant job on Sunday. I guess it happens to everyone. That’s what makes those drivers incredible champions… to have this killer instinct. Sometimes it goes a little too far. That’s my role too, bring them back. to a better place”he added at the end, recalling the responsibility the team also has in the battle between teammates.

On Sunday, Alpine took that responsibility and brought order between the two for the first time by forcefully ordering Ocon over the radio not to fight Alonso after the final ‘Safety Car’ restart for wearing Fernando a new soft tire. “I don’t want you to fight with Alonso, I hope that’s clear,” they told him for the first time this course. Alpine waited until the penultimate round of the year to issue that team order.

According to Rossi, before Sunday’s race, there is no strict order for the two drivers, but they have to work together if necessary. “We told them that if we had to do it, they had to follow the orders, but there were no team orders (before the race).”

“We had two different approaches, we cannot predict what will be the best result because it depends on the race conditions. But based on the speed and the circumstances, we told them that if they need, we will impose changes in position or things like that, and they had to follow through. , which they did and it was perfect,” said Rossi. Alonso took a risk with a three-stop strategy and ultimately benefited by removing the last ‘virtual Safety Car’, which turned into a real ‘Safety Car’. In this way, he gained time in his last stop, he was the only one in the Top-10 with a new tire and the safety car reunited the cars, allowing him to achieve a good comeback. Ocon let him pass and managed to climb back to the final fifth position, leaving fourth place in the Constructors’ World Championship in favor of Alpine almost certain.