Pierre Gasly admitted it hasn't been "easy" to be team-mates with Esteban Ocon - but said his fellow Frenchman has acted "professionally" throughout their time at Alpine.
Eyebrows were raised when Alpine announced they had signed Gasly to be Ocon's team-mate ahead of the 2023 season. The story between them was well-known - they grew up just a few miles from one another in Normandy and were good friends as children, but fell out on the route to Formula 1 and have not seen eye to eye since.
So when Alpine chose to pair them together, fireworks were predicted. For the most part, though, they have been on their best behaviour and there have been very few examples of them getting angry with each other - in public, at least.
But two weeks ago, at the Monaco Grand Prix, Ocon attempted a brainless move on his team-mate which damaged both cars and left team principal Bruno Famin furious. Eight days later, Alpine announced that this season would be the 27-year-old's last with the team.
Naturally, Gasly was asked for his response to that news as he faced reporters ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix. And he paused before giving his answer to the question, initially replying: "I'm just taking time to think because I know you guys are going to take every single word that comes out."
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After giving proper consideration to his response, Gasly was complimentary of Ocon and extended an olive branch to his rival ahead of their final 16 races as team-mates. He said: "It is a long story between Esteban and myself - and for the last year-and-a-half, we've managed to work and cooperate very professionally.
Esteban Ocon's Alpine was sent into the air after contact with Pierre Gasly in Monaco (Sky Sports)"This is very important to mention as it hasn't always been easy, as you would imagine from two very competitive drivers - but considering the story between us, it has been good. The directives were pretty clear in Monaco, and unfortunately, it is not what happened on track - but I am confident that moving forward, we won't face any issues."
Ocon isn't the only one whose Alpine contract comes to an end this year. Gasly's own deal is also up for renewal and it remains to be seen whether the team will make a double change. For now, he has nothing to say about his own future and said his team-mate's exit has no bearing on his own situation.
Gasly added: "To be honest, [it changes] absolutely nothing. At the minute, it is quite clear what position I am in, and for the moment with my future, I have nothing to announce. You will know in due time."
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