“I think today we’re much more grown up”: Pierre Gasly thinks rift with Esteban Ocon won’t affect Alpine

Tanish Chachra | 09/12/2022
"I think today we're much more grown up": Pierre Gasly thinks rift with Esteban Ocon won't affect Alpine

Alpine, the only French F1 team, would have an all-French lineup in Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon. Making it the ultimate French team in the paddock.

Apart from sharing nationality, the two drivers come from the same region– Normandy. They have known each other for several years and were best friends during their karting days.

However, several reports inform that the two mates developed a rift in their early teenage years. Since then, they never reconciled until Esteban Ocon posted a surprising yet heartwarming welcome for his new teammate on his social media.

 

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A post shared by Esteban Ocon 🇫🇷 (@estebanocon)

But will it reflect during their time with each other? Ocon already ruined his relationship with Fernando Alonso in 2022; a partnership started on a solid camaraderie. So would this new alliance remain intact? That can’t be said, certainly.

Also read: Daniel Ricciardo plans 2023 motorcycle ride across America

Pierre Gasly ensures teenage rift won’t affect Alpine

Gasly was asked about his soured relations with Ocon and whether they can affect the prospects of Alpine in future. The Frenchman replies that he and his teammate have matured since then, which would surely not bother the team.

“It’s no secret to anyone that we have had our ups and downs, but I think today we’re much more grown up than we were,” said Gasly. “We have responsibilities driving for a manufacturer, and we both know that it’s to our benefit to work well together.”

Gasly further claims that it’s an opportunity for both drivers to let bygones be bygones and work towards a healthy relationship. He even revealed that the duo had a chat about it, and they better understand each other.

The Alpine boss wishes their newfound harmony is true

While Ocon has shown that his relations with his teammates can go downhill, Gasly has been incredibly harmonious with his teammates. His recent bond with Yuki Tsunoda is a solid testament to it.

The 26-year-old also believes it’s important for teammates to have a healthy rivalry. Ultimately, both must work well for the team and ensure the best possible results.

Meanwhile, Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer hopes the two drivers are telling the truth about their improved personal relations and buried their differences deep below.

Also read: Mick Schumacher rues F1 teams not giving young drivers time to improve following Haas exit

Post Edited By: Tanish Chachra
Alpine Esteban Ocon Pierre Gasly

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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