Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon will be teammates for the first time in their careers driving for the BWT Alpine F1 team in the 2023 season.
The French duo have known each other since they were little and have competed against each other ever since. Both drivers have had very similar paths in the sport as well, with multiple podium finishes and even race wins during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
During the launch of the 2023 challenger, Gasly and Ocon reminisced about their childhood memories, with the former Red Bull driver making fun of his Alpine teammate’s height. He said:
“A little taller than I remembered. Well, I don’t know what you ate at the time, but you like it…”
Ocon, in response, stated that he was always taller than Gasly since his childhood. While he was talking to him BBCOcon shed some light on their previously rocky relationship, adding:
“I’m confident. You guys like headlines and all these kinds of stories, but we’re both very professional and we’re going to work the way we’re supposed to. I don’t think we’ll ever be best friends, but that’s not it.” It doesn’t really matter as long as the atmosphere is very good within the team, and that’s the way it is at the moment and that’s the way it will continue to be throughout the year.”
“We have to work closely together if we want to be competitive” – Alpine rider Pierre Gasly
Despite running together since their early days, the alpine duo of Gasly and Ocon haven’t been the best of friends off the trail.
Gasly stated that they have grown from their feud and are ready to work together to push Alpine forward.
“We are older, more mature people, and we are aware of the responsibilities of being Alpine riders and having such a large group behind us. We have to work very closely together if we want to be competitive. That’s why I have no doubt. everything will be fine.”
However, F1 fans on social media weren’t necessarily convinced by Gasly’s comments and were vocal in their reactions to his new partner for the 2023 season:
It would be fascinating to see if both drivers can really put their past differences aside and work closely together to move the French F1 team forward. However, there is a high possibility of consequences if both are equally competitive throughout the season.