Fernando Alonso didn’t feel it necessary to argue with Alpine Formula 1 team-mate Esteban Ocon about his “extreme” defense in Hungary, but admitted he was “surprised” by the moves.
Ocon appeared to rush Alonso twice as he ran towards the first corner of lap one in Hungary, prompting the Spaniard – who has since signed for Aston Martin in 2023 – to take off to avoid a collision.
Alonso then tried to round the outside towards the Turn 6 chicane but was forced out of the way, which led to his radio message: “Never in my life have I seen a defense like Esteban. Never. At the top of the wall, turn 2, and now turn 6. Never.
Speaking directly after the race about Ocon’s defensive moves, Alonso said: “He was quite extreme.
“Obviously I took off and nothing happened. It was probably a missed opportunity there. Initially I had a good launch, but nothing really to complain about.
Alonso denied there was a need to discuss moves with Ocon, believing there would always be enough respect between them to avoid an accident.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “We always try to race hard, but always leave that 1% margin so we don’t have any incidents. We never had any and we never will.
Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer was not concerned about the scrap, saying all was well “as long as it’s right and there’s no damage, it’s fine.”
The start of the Hungarian Grand Prix
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Ocon called the first-lap battle with Alonso ‘just in the race’, and said their final tussle for position after early pit stops which saw Daniel Ricciardo pass both Alpines at the same time was the result a slow stop and cold tires.
“We got into a tough position at the pit stop, when we were delayed we stopped a bit late so the lap times with the new tire were better,” Ocon said.
“We should have come out with some margin, some gaps. I tried to defend not necessarily on Fernando, on everyone I had behind, but on cold tough guys it was hard to do that.
The Alpine drivers’ two-season tenure as teammates will end at the end of the year following Alonso’s decision to sign for Aston Martin.
Confirmation of his exit on Monday sparked confusion over who will race alongside Ocon next year after Alpine announced the promotion of reserve driver Oscar Piastri, only for Piastri to deny signing for the team , stating that he would not race for Alpine in 2023.
Alonso and Ocon eventually finished eighth and ninth respectively in Hungary, helping Alpine hold on to fourth in the constructors’ championship heading into the summer break ahead of McLaren by four points.
“To score the same points as McLaren, we have to be proud and we have to be happy with the result,” Alonso said. “We probably had higher expectations starting fifth and sixth.”
Fernando Alonso didn’t feel it necessary to argue with Alpine Formula 1 team-mate Esteban Ocon about his “extreme” defense in Hungary, but admitted he was “surprised” by the moves.
Ocon appeared to rush Alonso twice as he ran towards the first corner of lap one in Hungary, prompting the Spaniard – who has since signed for Aston Martin in 2023 – to take off to avoid a collision.
Alonso then tried to round the outside towards the Turn 6 chicane but was forced out of the way, which led to his radio message: “Never in my life have I seen a defense like Esteban. Never. At the top of the wall, turn 2, and now turn 6. Never.
Speaking directly after the race about Ocon’s defensive moves, Alonso said: “He was quite extreme.
“Obviously I took off and nothing happened. It was probably a missed opportunity there. Initially I had a good launch, but nothing really to complain about.
Alonso denied there was a need to discuss moves with Ocon, believing there would always be enough respect between them to avoid an accident.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “We always try to race hard, but always leave that 1% margin so we don’t have any incidents. We never had any and we never will.
Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer was not concerned about the scrap, saying all was well “as long as it’s right and there’s no damage, it’s fine.”
The start of the Hungarian Grand Prix
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Ocon called the first-lap battle with Alonso ‘just in the race’, and said their final tussle for position after early pit stops which saw Daniel Ricciardo pass both Alpines at the same time was the result a slow stop and cold tires.
“We got into a tough position at the pit stop, when we were delayed we stopped a bit late so the lap times with the new tire were better,” Ocon said.
“We should have come out with some margin, some gaps. I tried to defend not necessarily on Fernando, on everyone I had behind, but on cold tough guys it was hard to do that.
The Alpine drivers’ two-season tenure as teammates will end at the end of the year following Alonso’s decision to sign for Aston Martin.
Confirmation of his exit on Monday sparked confusion over who will race alongside Ocon next year after Alpine announced the promotion of reserve driver Oscar Piastri, only for Piastri to deny signing for the team , stating that he would not race for Alpine in 2023.
Alonso and Ocon eventually finished eighth and ninth respectively in Hungary, helping Alpine hold on to fourth in the constructors’ championship heading into the summer break ahead of McLaren by four points.
“To score the same points as McLaren, we have to be proud and we have to be happy with the result,” Alonso said. “We probably had higher expectations starting fifth and sixth.”