Ocon reveals remarkable difference with Gasly in Canada

Esteban Ocon has revealed a weight difference of "a couple of kilos" on his Alpine F1 car was a factor behind his Canadian Grand Prix Q1 exit. 

Ocon, who is leaving the team at the end of the season, qualified 18th fastest in Montreal, but will drop to 20th as he serves a five-place grid penalty for the clash at Monaco with team-mate Pierre Gasly.

There have been encouraging signs for Alpine in recent races, with Ocon and Gasly scoring points in Miami and Monaco respectively after a troubled start to the season, with the A524 proving overweight, under-powered and lacking downforce.

Upgrades added to the car have turned it into a lighter machine, but Ocon fell in Q1 by 0.146s, with Gasly in the final Q2 slot of 15th.

The 2021 Hungarian GP winner felt this made all the difference when combined with other factors.

"We have had a difference in terms of weight between cars for a couple of events," Ocon explained. "It is something we will rotate and that will be on Pierre’s car soon as well. It is a couple of kilos.

"But at the moment it adds to the list [for qualifying] and that’s the reason why we’re unable to go through."

Ocon out in Canada Q1

Detailing where he felt time was lost, Ocon explained how traffic woes and incorrect tyre preparation were behind his Q1 elimination.

"There were a few too many things that didn’t go right for us this weekend and in the [Q1] session," he added.

"There was a bit of traffic at the start of the lap, we didn't have the right prep with the tyres, and there was a little bit of traffic during the [later part of the] lap as well which made me lose a tenth. 

"So, it is not ideal when it’s that close."