Esteban Ocon would be open to working with fellow Frenchman Pierre Gasly at Alpine next season.
The AlphaTauri driver has emerged as the main target for Alpine to replace Fernando Alonso, despite the ongoing wait for a decision regarding Oscar Piastri’s contract from the CRB.
However, a potential roadblock is a frosty relationship between the two drivers, despite Gasly admitting it was Ocon who got him into racing at a young age.
“I’ve done so many things together with Esteban,” he told RaceFans back in Bahrain.
Also Read:
- Ocon ‘sad’ to see Alonso leave Alpine, names ‘good friend’ as ideal replacement
- Ocon & Alpine can outperform Alonso-led Aston Martin in 2023 – Szafnauer
- Pierre Gasly touts his potential as Red Bull opens exit door after 2023
“When we were like nine, 10 years old we used to go karting when it was snowing, do five laps then come in because it was so cold. Go out on the track together, try to get warm again and then go back on track for three or four more laps.”
But: “I started to beat him and he didn’t like it so we’re not friends anymore,” Pierre added.
“We spent a lot of time together but it got to a point where he got a bit too upset and it wasn’t so nice anymore, so we kind of stopped [socialising].
“Then after we always [had] quite a lot of rivalry but I think we respect each other as drivers.
“If we don’t talk about racing it’s fine,” he said. “We can spend time together, we respect each other, it doesn’t go further than that.”
That final line was echoed by Ocon himself, as he suggested it was possible he and Gasly could exist as teammates.
“It’s going well, we have respect for each other,” he said of their current relationship. “I think that’s the important thing.”
Gasly though was staying diplomatic when asked about the rumours linking him to Alpine next year.
“I don’t really have anything to comment for now,” he said.
“I’ve got a contract and from everything I know, and everybody knows, we’ve announced me to AlphaTauri, driving for AlphaTauri next year.”