Alpine Components 1 workforce principal Oliver Oakes has welcomed Esteban Ocon to return to the workforce’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 essential 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 abruptly given he had organised a particular crash helmet for the race to say farewell to the workforce that supplied him a second probability in F1 in 2020, when it was then below the Renault guise.
In a social media publish, Ocon mentioned: “To the a whole lot of hard-working women and men at Enstone and Viry, I apologise that I will be unable come see you in individual and have a correct farewell.
“As you realize, 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 wished issues to finish.”
However taking part in down the problem of Ocon being unable to go to, Oakes mentioned after the workforce secured sixth within the constructors’ standings at Yas Marina: “Esteban can have a guard of honour if he needs. He is bought to come back by. I am truly severe.
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524
Picture by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Pictures
“Look, folks say that [he was harshly treated], however I feel it is not likely proper. I feel on the finish of the day, he had an choice. He selected to begin together with his new workforce earlier. That is tremendous. I am cool with that.
“We have been texting, and I have been sincere, he is welcome to come back to Enstone, if you would like, like every thing was deliberate. I’ve additionally been actually sincere that he is been an enormous a part of the workforce, not simply earlier years, however even in my brief stint.
“I’ve loads of admiration for him, however I feel additionally we’ve got to do what’s proper for us and getting Jack within the automobile earlier, it is a massive benefit after we look to subsequent yr.
“The groups we’re preventing have all bought rookies who’ve had a little bit of expertise below their belt and for me, it could appear a bit of bit harsh, however actually, that is not the cause in any respect.”
On this article
Ewan Gale
Components 1
Esteban Ocon
Alpine
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