Gasly and Ocon join forces with Alpine F1 protest planned

Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon have responded to the planned protests and strike action by aggrieved Renault staff at Alpine's power unit base in Viry-Châtillon.

The French squad is looking to cease production of F1 engines, with a project in motion to transition away from being a works team to a customer operation come 2026 and a new era of power unit regulations.

Whilst it is not clear what that ultimately means for employees situated in Viry-Châtillon, the decision has been met with concern and dissatisfaction.

In addition to strike action at the facility over the weekend of the Italian Grand Prix, around 100 Alpine employees are expected to protest at Monza with banners. However, no disruption to on-track running is planned.

Despite the potential distraction, Gasly, who is contracted to the team until at least the end of 2026, and his outgoing team-mate Ocon, are focused on doing the best they can on the track this weekend.

"I have absolutely no power or control over that situation. It's a team and top management topic," Gasly told media including RacingNew365.

"So, from this point of view, I'm focusing on my race, and the best thing I can do to every employee of the team is perform the best way I can on the track to give them the rewards of all the hard work every single employee is doing.

"That's my role in the team, and that's what I'll focus on.

"I understand all parties. It's not as easy as 'we can talk about it', so nothing of my control.

"At the end of the day, hopefully everyone will come out of it with a good option."

Ocon maintains focus despite distraction

It is understood the move by Alpine is a cost-cutting measure and not linked to the potential performance of its 2026 power unit, in which considerable resources have already been invested.

There has been change at the French outfit since the start of the season, with Flavio Briatore re-entering the fold and Bruno Famin making way for Oliver Oakes as team principal.

Ocon took a similar tone to Gasly, insisting he aimed to produce the "best results possible", whilst stating he hopes there is dialogue between the two sides.

"That decision has nothing to do with me," the 27-year-old told media including RacingNews365. "I'm driving. I do the best I can for Viry, for Enstone.

"I've been driving with the team for five years now, trying to do the best results possible.

"It is, from what I heard, [a] peaceful protest. People want to talk, which is completely normal. I hope that there will be some conversations between the parties.

"I will be focusing on my side of the job, which is to drive and try to take the car to the highest point that you can go."

Following news breaking of the planned protests at Monza, Alpine issued a statement to RacingNews365, which can be viewed below.