It is no secret that Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are not best friends. Yet the pair will have to get over that, as from next year they will go through life as teammates. Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer is confident the two will "rekindle their friendship."
Gasly and Ocon need to get along
Speaking at the press conference ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Szafnauer stated that the team has certainly considered the rapport between Ocon and Gasly. "We made an informed decision. And that means talking to the entire team, including Esteban beforehand," he says. That way, Alpine wanted to make sure that if Gasly did indeed come to the team, everyone could work together.
"Esteban was very supportive, Pierre as well," Szafnauer continued. "They're professionals and they have no issue working together. And hopefully, the friendship will rekindle. They were friends at one point, but from a professional perspective, they're both very happy to work with each other."
Gasly and Ocon have known each other since a young age. The duo grew up near each other and their families were friends. Gasly even made his first metres in Ocon's kart, after which he wanted nothing else. The relationship between the two became strained as they progressed in motorsport.