Martin Brundle’s bitter Esteban Ocon truth amid Monaco disaster

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon is reportedly facing a massive penalty for his Monaco madness from his team, but that may be the tip of the iceberg.

Jack Doohan firming to take Esteban Ocon's seat. Photo: Getty Images

It doesn’t take much for the F1 rumour mill to spin into overdrive, but when you have an issue like Esteban Ocon’s Monaco disaster, it’s bound to ignite the speculation.

Alpine had just its second points finish of the season after Pierre Gasly finished 10th at Monaco but it was almost derailed as soon as it started.

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The race was red flagged on the first lap when Haas’ Kevin Magnussen clipped Sergio Perez’s rear tyre with his Red Bull being left a mangled mess, while also taking out Magnussen’s teammate Nico Hulkenberg.

But there was also an incident on the same lap just before the red flags came out when Ocon attempted to make a move on his teammate Gasly, leaving Ocon airborne and suffering too much damage to return to the race.

Luckily for Alpine, the remainder of the race was a procession and Gasly was able to claim the team’s second point for the season.

However, the team were still very publicly fuming with Alpine team principal Bruno Famin telling French broadcaster Canal+ it was crazy to attempt the move on the first lap.

“It’s sad to see this kind of incident,” Famin said.

“It’s exactly what we didn’t want to see. Esteban’s attack was completely out of line.

“It’s exactly what we didn’t want to see, and there will be consequences. We’re going to make a tough decision.”

Ocon was airborne after the move. Photo: YouTube

Ocon, who copped a five-place grid penalty for the Canadian Grand Prix, apologised after the race as he was panned for his actions.

Sky Sports reported the team’s penalty could even be as extreme as dropping Ocon for the next race, the Canadian Grand Prix.

The speculation kicked off after Famin was seen calling reserve driver and Aussie young gun Jack Doohan, who is considered the next cab off the rank for the team.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ted’s Notebook, Ted Kravitz said: “I will say that I saw Famin on the roof of the Alpine pit building, he called Jack Doohan, the reserve driver, over for a chat. They had a chat. I don’t know what the chat was about. And then Jack Doohan left and went down the stairs.

“Now, I know that’s not exactly Woodward and Bernstein and Watergate, but it’s all I’ve got.

“Does that mean that Famin is going to penalise Esteban Ocon for doing what he told him not to do, by benching him for Canada? Maybe. Is he going to put Doohan in the car? Maybe.”

While there has been no word from the team as yet, Motorsport-Total.com has reported Ocon will be spared for the next race, although the Alpine drivers will reportedly have a “non-aggression pact”.

However, it’s safe to say the Frenchman is fighting for his career.

Doohan is breathing down Ocon’s neck. Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

Ocon may have survived … this time. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

Ocon has been discussed as a possible replacement for Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes seat as the seven-time world champion moves to Ferrari in 2025, but Ocon’s latest act will do him no favours.

A Mercedes junior, the Silver Arrows confirmed earlier in the year that Ocon still had ties to the team, although he’s also been linked to a move to Audi or Haas.

But with both Ocon and Gasly out of contract at the end of the year, either one or both of the Frenchmen could be moved on from the team currently struggling in ninth on the constructor’s championship.

And Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle suggested the latest mistake could pour cold water on the 27-year-old’s hopes of staying in Formula One.

“Ocon is a fine and fast racing driver, but history clearly demonstrates that he has an irrational red mist when it comes to racing, particularly against his teammates,” Brundle wrote in his post-race column.

“He has been heavily criticised before by Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso for his intra-team aggression and contact, and now Gasly too. It will cost Esteban heavily as no front running team would entertain that kind of mentality, or even perhaps any team.

“A driver represents hundreds of hard working and professional people, and hundreds of millions of pounds of investment and sponsorship when driving for an F1 team. You simply can’t keep attacking your one teammate with abandon.”

Nothing is certain until it’s certain in F1 and while Doohan seems like the next cab off the rank for Alpine, Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher is also appearing to be an option for the French team.

Mick Schumacher is waiting in the wings. Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP

Schumacher has also been spending his time racing in the World Endurance Championship for Alpine and Famin has taken notice.

Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, Famin said of Schumacher: “I’m very happy with Mick, he’s super fast.

“But that’s not the main thing in the WEC, you have to drive at a consistently high level and have a good team spirit.

“I’m very impressed with him because he adapted his attitude to the long-distance races from day one. He has a very good relationship with his teammates. Everything is open for 2025, everyone talks to everyone. It would be a mistake not to have Mick on the list.”

Instead of Doohan? Alongside Doohan? There’s still plenty to play out at Alpine as the F1 silly season just gets sillier.

Originally published as Martin Brundle’s bitter Esteban Ocon truth amid Monaco disaster