Esteban Ocon open to Pierre Gasly Alpine partnership

Esteban Ocon says he would be open to having Pierre Gasly as a team-mate next season at Alpine, despite suggestions the two do not get on.

The two drivers have known each other for a very long time, with their families knowing each other, but there has been reports that over the years the two have sometimes had a strained or distant relationship.

That can happen under the pressure of high-level motor-racing, of course, and the two have never been team-mates, though there is now a suggestion that could happen in 2023.

Alpine need to find a new driver for next year with Fernando Alonso off to Aston Martin, and Oscar Piastri may not end up there depending on the FIA Contract Recognition Board’s ruling on his future next week.

Indeed, if the Aussie ends up going elsewhere – likely to McLaren – Alpine then need to scour the driver market with Daniel Ricciardo, Mick Schumacher and, now, Gasly all names being put into the frame.

That in mind, then, and with their relationship also to be considered, it was put to Ocon to expand on their relationship.

He said, though, that it’s not in such a bad place:

“It’s going well, we have respect for each other. I think that’s the important thing.”

He was also asked if he could work with Pierre, to which he said: “Yeah.”

Alpine will obviously be the team to make the final call and a lot of it all depends on Piastri’s future but an all-French line-up may well appeal to the team, with both Ocon and Gasly talented drivers.