Ocon defiant over Gasly approach despite Alpine departure

A defiant Esteban Ocon has claimed he has "always followed instructions" after his controversial clash with team-mate Pierre Gasly and subsequent Alpine departure.

On the first lap in Monte Carlo, Ocon collided with Gasly at Portier, putting himself out of the race, with a furious boss in Bruno Famin threatening "consequences" as a result, with Ocon issuing a public apology later that day. 

In between the Monaco and Canadian Grands Prix, the team announced that one-time race winner Ocon will be leaving at the end of the season after a five-year stay, with Ocon and Gasly being involved in three collisions during their time as team-mates - two of which put both out of races.

However, the Frenchman insists that he has always followed team instructions.

"As a driver, with the team, I always followed the instructions I have been given," Ocon told media including RacingNews365.

"There have been no changes, and what I want to do is try the best I can for the rest of the season to finish on a high the story we've started with the team.

"That is very important for me. I joined the team in 2020, and I am always trying to do the best I can - and that will remain.

"I've spent five years with the team, we've had some amazing moments, but five years in the Formula 1 world is a long time. 

"I'm excited for the challenge ahead and to finish the collaboration on a high."

In the aftermath of Monaco and his axing for 2025, Ocon released a statement on social media denouncing social media critics and described how he felt Alpine and Renault did not make the decision just based what happened in Monte Carlo.

"I said pretty much everything in my statement, and we were talking with the team for several months," he added. 

"Alpine is a big group, Renault is a big group, and it is not the kind of team that is taking decisions on just a single race.

"I talked with Bruno, I was in the factory with normal preparation for the weekend, and we were talking about a lot of things. 

"There was no awkward moment, there is no damage in our relationship. Everything has been discussed and we move on and keep racing."