Alpine is facing pressure from its management team amid a tricky start to the season, with the team’s CEO Laurent Rossi warning there will be “consequences” if the performances don’t improve soon.
Stuck in P6 in the Constructors’ Standings, Alpine is behind rival team McLaren, although they are tied for points.
The poor standing comes after Alpine suffered an avoidable double DNF in Australia, when Pierre Gasly collided with Esteban Ocon in a chaotic red flag restart.
Having failed to make up the lost points, Rossi has begun to publicly express his irritation, forcing drivers and team principal Otmar Szafnauer to respond.
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“It hasn’t been an easy start to the season,” Szafnauer said, “so I don’t know, maybe that’s why he made those comments.”
Ocon has now spoken up about the situation at the team, stating that he is “100%” focused on his job ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, accepting improvements are needed.
“I think it’s just a bit everywhere. It’s not just the chassis level, I think it’s a whole that determines whether you have a high-performance car or not,” he stated.
“Yes, we all have to work together, because we have proof today with Aston Martin that you can go from a midfield team and take a big leap.
“It’s possible, they’ve proven it, and honestly, respect to them for being able to do this because it shows the way for all the other teams.”
Gasly rejected the idea that it was criticism from Rossi, claiming it was just an attempt at motivating the drivers and team to step up to the level they are truly capable of.
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“I wouldn’t say it’s criticism but more the eagerness and the will and the desire to be right there at the top and everybody is trying their best,” Gasly said.
“I trust the team in the progress they’ve been showing over the last couple of years.
“We’ve had a slightly slower start than what we would have liked and wanted, but now we just need to keep our head down and keep progressing weekend after weekend.”