P1racenews AI automatic summary:
A vacancy has appeared at the Alpine team after confirmation that Esteban Ocon will leave the squad at the end of the 2024 campaign.
Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner cautioned the Alpine team about signing Mick Schumacher, mentioning that Alpine has an available spot for next season following Esteban Ocon’s departure at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Schumacher currently competes for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship and serves as a reserve driver for Mercedes. Having spent two seasons racing for Haas F1 under Steiner’s leadership in 2021 and 2022 before being replaced by Nico Hulkenberg, Steiner emphasized Carlos Sainz and Yuki Tsunoda as potential alternatives for Alpine. Steiner mentioned in an interview on The Red Flags Podcast that at the moment, Schumacher should not be considered, stressing the importance of recruiting the best available talent for a works team. Steiner also addressed tensions within Alpine, especially after the Monaco Grand Prix incident between teammates Ocon and Gasly, suggesting that mutual respect between teammates is crucial, and if one cannot coexist with another, it’s best to part ways to avoid conflicts impacting the team’s performance and dynamics.
