These are practices that we would like not to see in F1. After the ouster of Esteban Ocon, tongues are loosed behind the scenes of the affair. Because contrary to what had been announced, it would not really be a voluntary early termination. The Frenchman, in fact, revealed that he had been summoned to Flabio Briatore's office the day before the Qatar Grand Prix.
Alpine F1: unacceptable practices?
The person concerned then allegedly told him that his participation in next week's test, with Haas, accepted in advance, was ultimately refused. Before the team advisor told him that there was a solution so that he could finally carry out the tests in question. Namely, agreeing to leave Alpine F1 after the Qatar Grand Prix. A legal pirouette thus allowing the contract with Esteban Ocon to be terminated without having to get into difficulty, administratively speaking. To allow Jack Doohan to start earlier than planned, that is to say this weekend in Abu Dhabi.
But in clearer terms, this is simply called blackmail. Meanwhile, Haas boss Komatsu said he was unaware of the move. Its new driver having preferred to give up the final F1 Grand Prix of the season to avoid thwarting the plans of the American Team. Since the latter had planned these tests with number 31 for a long time.
“I talked to Ollie about it [Oakes] during one of the F1 Commission meetings, without it being put in writing, but well before I confirmed it. We said there was no problem.” Ayao Komatsu said.
This information, coming from a source close to the French team, was disseminated in particular by Motorsport. If they are proven, they do not bode well for the team's drivers, who must expect other maneuvers of this type, in the event of poor performance or otherwise, in the future.
Article published on 06/12/2024 at 6:00 a.m.
