Oliver Oakes, the director of Alpine F1, was particularly aggressive in his responses to the AFP regarding the Esteban Ocon affair and his sidelining for the last Grand Prix of the season.
The team has been extremely criticized by the media and fans on social media because of what looks like blackmail done just before the race in Qatar: either the Haas F1 tests or the last GP with Alpine.
“I don't agree with what I've read about the way we treated Esteban. But anyway, we're not here to be nice, we're here to run. At the end of the day , he will drive for another team and I only care about Alpine. We have to move forward,” says Oakes to Agence France Presse.
“People don't know the whole story so it's easy to comment from behind the screen. Esteban has played a big role in this team, but all chapters have to end so the others can begin.”
“We kept our word and he will be able to do the tests with Haas. We act in the interest of the team, we are not here just for Esteban. And for me it is very important that Jack can drive the car now to better prepare for next season, it will be good for Esteban also in view of 2025 to be able to build relationships now with the people he will meet next year.”
-Worse, Oakes questioned Ocon's integrity!
“Without being mean, lately his contribution to the team was limited, he scored few points and was often eliminated in Q1. We must not forget that he will be riding for the team with whom we are fighting for sixth place in the championship manufacturers so it's just as well that there is not a shadow of a doubt about his involvement.”
France
