Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon share the moment their ‘close’ friendship ended on Drive to Survive

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Alpine teammates Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon might be close on the track, but their friendship off it is another matter.

The French pair will be driving together in 2024 but have battled ever since they were kids driving in go-karts.

Season 6 of Drive to Survive has dropped on Netflix, and during the episode concentrating on the French team, they tell the story of what happened between them.

Gasly and Ocon share what happened to their ‘close’ friendship

Formula 1 is not an environment for building close relationships between drivers.

Teammates ultimately have to work together to try and help their team as much as possible, but when it comes down to it, they’ll do anything to win a race.

Modern F1 has seen closer relationships work well, with Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull and Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at McLaren as two key examples.

It can help the team move forward more quickly and benefit both drivers in the long run.

However, when it was announced that Pierre Gasly would replace Fernando Alonso at Alpine in 2023, his friendship with Esteban Ocon was put under the microscope.

They had a huge crash in Australia last season costing them both points and Ocon had to explain what happened when he reportedly ignored a message to not overtake his teammate.

It will be interesting to see how their relationship develops heading into 2024…

Alpine drivers share story of how karting affected their relationship

Asked what happened between the two drivers, Gasly said: “The story with Esteban [Ocon], there could be a movie about it. We’re both coming from the same part of Normandy, living 20 minutes from each other.

“Growing up from six years old until 10, we used to spend so much time together. We would practice together, we would race together and we were very close.”

Ocon added: “Yeah, we were very close friends when we were younger. The first time he stepped in a go-kart, it was my go-kart.”

Gasly continued: “My first year or two, Esteban was slightly better than me and he would just go behind me and try to overtake me and play these sort of psychological games.

“And then after I kicked his ass and he didn’t like it! I always remember it was one of the biggest national competitions of the year at that time, I think it was 2008.

“I had a fantastic race on that day. And on the last lap, I’m fourth, Esteban is third.

“Both side-by-side to the line and then I just like pass him, just literally on the last corner. The friendship we had it just went downwards from there.

Ocon then said: “It is true, that’s what he did. [An] overtake on the last lap. But, I can tell you that he wasn’t racing the way he should have done.”

Gasly replied: “Ultimately, I got disqualified. I have given Esteban many, many chances to make this relationship work, but if someone doesn’t want to be friends, that’s fine with me.”

Ocon concluded: “It’s a lot of personal reasons for these things.”

2024 big year for Alpine in Formula 1

Ocon and Gasly have to put the issues with their friendship aside heading into this year given their futures in Formula 1 are at risk.

Alpine are reportedly considering splitting the pair up heading into 2025, while Gasly has been warned they are both under pressure.

Anthony Davidson admitted he saw Gasly struggling in pre-season with his new car which will be a concern.

All eyes will be on whether the French constructor can turn it around this year.