Okon: I followed the instructions and let my partner pass

In Montreal, the Alpine team scored points for the first time this season with two cars: Pierre Gasly finished ninth and Esteban Ocon tenth.

In the closing laps of the Canadian Grand Prix, the team instructed Ocon to let his teammate go ahead so he could try to attack Daniel Ricciardo for eighth place. Esteban complied with the instructions, but as 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve suggested on Sky Sports F1, he did so after being convinced that Gasly would definitely not have time to overtake Ricciardo, while at the same time retaining the option to call one himself team player.

Pierre Gasly (9th): “The team can be happy with the result; for the first time this season we earned points with two cars.

At the start in the second corner I had a collision with Sergio Perez, which caused me to lose several positions. Then I focused on getting it right. We made some good and bold strategic decisions and switched to Hard early, when most of the competition was stuck on intermediate tyres.

Now we understand that it was worth switching to slicks a lap later, but in any case everything worked out – I had a high pace and I regained the positions I had lost at the start.

The team tried to get the maximum and attack Daniel Ricciardo, so closer to the finish my partner and I switched places. We can be happy with the points we achieved and the excellent work of the team.”

Esteban Ocon (10th): “I’m happy for the team, because we earned points with two cars. I had a mega race after starting from the last position, which was great for the team. My car had to be repaired on the grid and I am grateful to the guys for their work.

Towards the end I couldn’t use the full potential of the battery, so two laps before the finish I was instructed to let Pierre pass so he could try to overtake Daniel. I let Pierre pass and lost position on the penultimate lap. I did what was best for the team and respected the instructions I was given.”