Esteban Ocon has called on his Alpine Formula 1 team to investigate the reasons behind his recent dip in performance compared to teammate Pierre Gasly, particularly since the United States Grand Prix.
The Shift in Performance
Throughout the first 21 qualifying sessions of the season, including sprints, Ocon held an impressive lead over Gasly, outqualifying him 14 times to seven. However, pivotal changes occurred starting from the weekend in Austin, reshuffling the dynamics within the Alpine garage.
Recent Qualifying Struggles
Since the United States Grand Prix, Ocon has only managed to outqualify Gasly once. Over six crucial grid-deciding sessions, Ocon has fallen over three-tenths behind on average. This slump has been baffling, as it starkly contrasts his earlier dominance in the season.
Las Vegas GP Performance
The recent Las Vegas Grand Prix encapsulated Ocon’s challenges where he finished dismally in 17th place. In contrast, Gasly secured a remarkable third in qualifying and continued to perform robustly, running in the top 10 before an unfortunate engine failure led to his retirement.
Ocon’s Concerns
Having such a significant drop in pace has raised concerns for Ocon, urging the team to assess underlying issues. “We need to understand why,” Ocon stated, reflecting a desire for a quick resolution to improve his competitiveness in upcoming races.
The Road Ahead
As the season advances, Alpine will aim to regain balance and support Ocon in reclaiming his form. Insights and adjustments over the following Grands Prix will be crucial as both drivers seek to optimise their performance, pushing the team further up the standings.
Will Alpine successfully identify the cause of Ocon’s pace slump? The upcoming races will provide crucial insights into the unfolding developments within the team.
