Despite Pierre Gasly’s Fiery Rant Against Dodgy Tactics, Alpine Commits Another Blunder to Force Otmar Szafnauer Into Honest Confession

With a Pierre Gasly DNF in FP1 and an Esteban Ocon DNF in FP2, the Alpine team’s spirits must have wavered even before they headed into the race day. F1 is a sport that demands perfection in every aspect, from the driver’s performance to the team’s strategy. One small misstep can have a significant impact on the final result, as Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer affirms. After a challenging race in Spain, where Pierre Gasly incurred penalties for impeding despite a solid qualifying, and with a similar situation in Canada the team is now reflecting on their strategy and seeking improvements.

Esteban Ocon‘s performance showcased the team’s potential, engaging in thrilling battles on the track throughout the race. The team’s car and pace were strong in Montreal, but they struggled to overtake Alex Albon in the Williams, who had superior straight-line speed. Even though Ocon’s podium in Monaco provided much-needed relief to the Alpine team. Pierre Gasly had reasons to be disappointed with Alpine’s strategy in Monaco, but then the penalty in Spain and exit in Q1 in Canada due to impeding from Carlos Sainz only added to the fire.

Otmar Szafnauer’s Honest Confession After Pierre Gasly Consistently Criticizing Alpine’s Tactics

Gasly had stated after the Monaco GP, “I’m obviously disappointed and a bit confused with the decision we made because we were P3 at the time with the rain coming…” While it did not rain in Canada, Alpine could not get Gasly’s strategy to work and get him in the points to rub salt in his qualifying frustration.

Finally, in response to the team’s questionable strategy, Otmar Szafnauer, Alpine boss, admitted that it was not an easy afternoon for the team. He acknowledged Esteban Ocon’s points finish while expressing disappointment in Gasly’s lack of success. Szafnauer highlighted the need for the team to learn from the race, particularly in terms of their strategic decisions.

According to formula1.it, Szafnauer explained, “We saw both Ferraris, Sergio Perez, and Alex Albon using the one-stop strategy, whereas we had planned a one-stop but converted both cars to two-stops, which probably wasn’t the optimal approach given the final result. We have a lot to learn from this race and will focus on improving our decision-making processes for the future.”

Read More: “Far Too Many Races Where…”: Pierre Gasly Buries Heartbreaking Disappointments to Focus on the “Ingredient” Important to Launch Needed Comeback

As Gasly’s rant brought the team’s tactics into question, Szafnauer’s admission signals a commitment to rectifying their errors and moving forward stronger. Another issue that plagued the team’s performance was the concerning oscillation of Esteban Ocon’s rear wing during the closing stages of the race. Szafnauer’s honest confession reflects the team’s acknowledgment of their mistake and the importance of learning from it.

Safety Concerns Surrounding Esteban Ocon’s Rear Wing

In the closing stages of the race, Lando Norris, who was closely following the Alpine, expressed his apprehension about the safety implications of the wing’s instability. The onus was on Alpine to decide whether it was safe for Ocon to continue, as per the FIA’s current policy regarding loose bodywork or potential failures. Alpine, confident in their wing’s integrity, opted to let Ocon carry on and complete the race, securing 8th place.

When questioned about the wing, team principal Otmar Szafnauer stated that it did not fail, and they were familiar with the failure mode as they designed it. Szafnauer revealed that Alpine had discussions with race control regarding the wing issue. The FIA also approached the team, expressing their observations about the wing’s movement. After careful consideration, Alpine remained confident that the wing would hold up, particularly with only a few laps remaining.

Alpine’s quest for success requires not only technical prowess but also meticulous attention to detail and flawless execution. Let’s hope they bounce back in the Austrian GP.

WATCH THIS STORY | Has Force India Now Become Aston Martin in F1?