'We did it in the interest of the team' - Alpine defends their decision to ask Esteban Ocon leave his position during Canadian Grand Prix

After a double DNF at the Monaco Grand Prix, Alpine earned three crucial points at the Canadian Grand Prix. Pierre Gasly scored two points as he finished ninth while Esteban Ocon finished tenth to earn a single point.

However, this finish left Ocon furious as three laps before the finish he was asked by the Alpine team to give his position to Gasly. He was heard being angry on the radio as he said, "I've always respected the instructions that have been given. It's always been the case and I've never done anything different in my career. But I've done my part of the job, but not the team today.”

Now, responding to his allegations team principal Bruno Famin revealed that it was a team decision and they had a reason behind it. He said, "There is no real friction. They are drivers and when we ask them, whoever, to give up their position to their teammate, it is generally not easy.”

Alpine chief explains teams’ decision

Explaining the decision Alpine chief said that Esteban Ocon was holding up everyone while both Haas drivers were charging up against them which triggered the decision. He said, "We did it in the interest of the team. Esteban was suffering a bit from the power management; he was consuming quite a lot of power.”

Also Read: Esteban Ocon to Haas? 

“And then we had two Haas F1 cars trying to overtake us from behind. Esteban was holding everyone up, at least it was easy to see that on TV, so there was a risk that the two Haas would pass us. And that's why we gave that instruction. But you know, drivers always say things at the end of the race, but the next day we talk about it and they think differently”, he further added.