Gasly Compares Ocon with Tsunoda as Teammate

The dynamic between Alpine teammates Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly has been a focal point of the 2023 Formula 1 season, drawing attention due to their shared history and contrasting personalities.

Having grown up in Normandy, France, and competing together in karting during their youth, the pair experienced a well-known falling out. Despite this, they joined forces at Alpine, aiming to collaboratively advance the team.

In a candid discussion on the "Beyond The Grid" podcast, Gasly reflected on the complexities and nuances of working with Ocon. He acknowledged the challenges stemming from their past and differing temperaments but emphasized their effective collaboration. Gasly highlighted the importance of their working relationship in extracting the maximum performance from both the car and the team, underlining a shared dedication to Alpine's progress.

Gasly noted the formality of their relationship, pointing out that while they may not share a close personal bond, their professional interaction at the track is marked by maturity and a focus on delivering results. He stressed the significance of not allowing their rivalry to hinder the team's development.

Comparing his relationship with Ocon to his previous partnership with Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri, Gasly found differences. He recalled a conversation with racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart about Stewart's relationship with Francois Cevert, drawing parallels to his own supportive and encouraging bond with Tsunoda. In contrast, his current dynamic with Ocon is characterized by a competitive drive, with both drivers motivated to excel and lead the team.

Despite a season with mixed results, including podium finishes for both drivers, Alpine found themselves in the lower half of the constructors' standings. This outcome, however, does not fully encapsulate the team's internal dynamics and the efforts of Ocon and Gasly to push each other and the team forward in a highly competitive Formula 1 environment.