With Fernando Alonso never set to drive for Alpine ever again, given that he officially becomes an Aston Martin driver on 1st January 2023, Esteban Ocon has started to open up on what it was like alongside the double World Champion.
The duo’s relationship was certainly one of mixed emotions, with the pair having worked together amazingly at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix and then again at the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix.
Ocon famously won at the Hungaroring that year whilst Alonso claimed a podium at the Losail International Circuit, his only podium since returning to the sport.
They’ve also had some rather close incidents, with the pair having finally come to blows during the sprint race at the recent Brazilian Grand Prix.
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Alonso was quick to publicly rant about both Ocon and the team, after he broke his front-wing due to colliding with the rear of Ocon.
Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer was furious with both drivers; however, Alonso continued to have no fear of speaking negatively about the team in public.
Ocon has since admitted that he was “disappointed” with the 41-year-old, with the Frenchman believing it’s “good” that the Spaniard is moving to Aston Martin.
“I was disappointed by what Fernando [Alonso] said in the press and internally,” Ocon revealed to Ouest France.
“We didn’t really have a discussion, within the team, about all this.
“We had discussions with Laurent [Rossi – Alpine CEO]. Personally, I prefer when these subjects remain in private and that we explain ourselves man to man.
“He didn’t do it, it came out in the press. As I said, I will always keep the respect I have for him. I was disappointed, sure, but I respect what he did on the track, his titles and the motivation he has, at his age.
“I think it’s good that he’s leaving [to Aston Martin] and we’re doing our bit as we should.”
Ocon added that Alonso failed to share the responsibilities in the team, with him believing that the double World Champion only took “2-percent” of the duo’s responsibilities.
He’s massively opening that Pierre Gasly will “take an equal share” of the jobs next season, with Ocon’s fellow Frenchman joining the French team next season.
“I hope so!” he said when asked if his new team-mate will take an equal share of the responsibilities.
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“Honestly it was 98% on my back and 2% on his [Fernando Alonso] .
“I won’t say that I was overworked, but I was the one doing everything: the development of the simulator, the marketing trips and a very big part of the work.
“With Pierre, I think that we can share this work and that will help me keep my energy for the season. I’m sure that on this side, it will be much better,” the one-time grand prix winner concluded.