Daniel Ricciardo, the Australian driver for Red Bull Racing, was forced to retire from the race. This incident occurred during the Formula 1 World Championship, specifically at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on April 29, 2018. Ricciardo reflected on the collision between Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly in the recent Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, which reminded him of his own infamous crash with Max Verstappen in Baku in 2018.
Ocon’s unsuccessful attempt to overtake Gasly on the first lap of the Grand Prix received criticism from Gasly himself and Alpine team boss Bruno Famin. It was reported that Ocon went against the team’s protocol with this maneuver, and there are rumors that he may face consequences for his actions in the next race.
Ricciardo, who was closely following the two drivers before the incident, noted that the Alpines made contact several times before the crash, similar to what happened between him and Verstappen six years ago in Baku. He mentioned that the tension between Gasly and Ocon was rapidly escalating, and he was not surprised when the collision finally occurred. Ricciardo also acknowledged that such incidents can escalate when they involve teammates.
Reflecting on his own experience, Ricciardo observed that his crash with Verstappen in Baku marked a turning point in their relationship within the Red Bull Racing team. As Verstappen’s reputation grew, Ricciardo decided to seek new challenges and ended up signing with Renault for the 2019 season.
Currently, both Ocon and Gasly are nearing the end of their contracts with Alpine, and there are reports suggesting that they are being considered by other teams. It is highly likely that at least one of them will be driving for a different team in 2025. With the driver market already active, personal ambitions may take precedence over team objectives.
Em particular, Ocon has been linked to possible moves to Haas or Sauber. If the potential move of Carlos Sainz to Haas does not materialize, both Alpine drivers have been listed as options for the team based in Hinwil.
