Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon discuss the situation at Alpine

For the first time since the beginning of the battle between Alpine and Renault, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon have spoken out on the subject. While the two Frenchmen do not plan to participate in the protests, they still wanted to show their support to the employees, hoping that the situation will come to an end as soon as possible. The protests are a result of Renault’s decision to stop the production of Alpine’s Formula 1 engines in Viry-Châtillon.

Pierre Gasly remains focused on his race

The atmosphere within the Alpine team is tense, with employees waiting for clarifications about their future while the Formula 1 team is trying to score some points. This weekend, around 100 Alpine employees are expected to go to Monza to protest during the Grand Prix. Although the demands are not expected to impact the race itself, the strike at the Viry-Châtillon site could change things. The battle between Renault and Alpine has been going on since July, following the announcement of the end of their collaboration. Even though nothing has been signed yet, several works council meetings have already taken place to explain the future of the factory.

Up to now, the two French drivers had remained silent about the situation. Pierre Gasly is the first to have spoken out regarding a complicated matter. The Frenchman signed a new contract with Alpine this year until 2026 and, although he has not taken any side, he wants to give his best at the Italian Grand Prix. Speaking to the media, he admitted to being powerless in the team’s decisions. “I absolutely have no power or control over this situation. It is a matter that concerns the team and the management,” said the driver. “The best I can do for each team member is to perform to the best of my ability on the track to give them the rewards for all the hard work that each team member puts in. That’s my role in the team, and that’s what I will focus on.”

Pierre Gasly, for his part, hopes that a solution will be found quickly. So far, he has not commented on Renault employees’ projects at Monza, but he understands the seriousness of the situation. “I understand all parties. It’s not as simple as ‘we can discuss it,’ so it’s completely out of my control,” he added. “At the end of the day, I hope everyone will find a good solution.”

Esteban Ocon shares his teammate’s point of view.

Esteban Ocon, who will leave the team at the end of the season, has taken a similar stance to that of his teammate. For the two French drivers, priority remains at Monza. Even if he wanted to, just like Pierre Gasly, the future former Alpine driver does not have a say in the team’s choices. “This decision has nothing to do with me,” he told the media. “I drive. I do my best for Viry, for Enstone. I have been driving for the team for five years now, trying to achieve the best possible results.”

Alpine’s results this season have not been as expected. With an eighth place in the constructors’ standings, the two drivers have accumulated a total of 13 points between them. Just before the summer break, the French were already complaining about technical problems with the car. While the situation seems to have improved at Zandvoort, where Pierre Gasly finished in ninth place, now is not the time for the drivers to be distracted. “I will focus on my part of the job, which is to drive and try to take the car as high as possible,” said Esteban Ocon.

Just like his teammate, the second Normand hopes to see the situation resolved as soon as possible. If he has heard about the events of this weekend, he understands the team’s willingness to act. It is, from what I have heard, a peaceful demonstration. People want to talk, which is perfectly normal. I hope there will be conversations between the parties, he definitively concluded.

Whether it’s Pierre Gasly or Esteban Ocon, what’s important for the team is to stay focused on the upcoming weekend. The decision to stop engine production has certainly raised concerns, but the drivers are equally caught off guard by the situation. Alpine’s decision to switch to a customer team would probably mark the end of the car manufacturer in Formula 1, but if it’s not time to celebrate, the team will have to perform despite the tensions.