Guenther Steiner claims Alpine should sign the ‘best available driver’ instead of Mick Schumacher to replace Esteban Ocon

Guenther Steiner affirmed that Alpine should look at all options before signing Mick Schumacher to replace Esteban Ocon.

Guenther Steiner claims Alpine should sign the ‘best available driver’ instead of Mick Schumacher to replace Esteban Ocon

Mick Schumacher (L), Esteban Ocon (R) (images via IMAGO)

Alpine is going through a difficult period on and off the track. Esteban Ocon‘s incident with teammate Pierre Gasly at the Monaco GP sparked tensions within the Enstone-based team. It is believed that the French team is looking for options to replace Ocon for 2025. However, ex-Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner asserted that the Renault works team shouldn’t sign Mick Scumacher.

Mick Schumacher made his F1 debut under Steiner’s leadership at Haas. However, the German driver faced severe criticism from Guenther Steiner over two seasons before finally being replaced for 2023. The former Haas boss was asked if Alpine should sign Schumacher for next season. However, the Italian-American swiftly said no. It must be noted that Mick Schumacher currently races for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship.

In the moment not, no.
Guenther Steiner told the Red Flags Podcast
YouTube video

Guenther Steiner claimed that a works team like Alpine must aim for the best available driver on the grid. The former Haas boss was potentially hinting at the likes of Carlos Sainz and Valtteri Bottas. Two race winners who are yet to find a seat for the 2025 season.

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You need to get the best driver you know is out there. I think people which are showing that they’re very good. And as a works team, you need to do the best you can.
Guenther Steiner asserted

Guenther Steiner takes a dig at Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly

Alpine brought in Pierre Gasly to partner Esteban Ocon in 2023 after Fernando Alonso decided to join Aston Martin. The all-French line-up was perfect for a French team. However, Gasly and Ocon are known to have a complicated relationship going all the way back to their karting days.

Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly
Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly (images via IMAGO)

Guenther Steiner claimed that either of the two drivers should’ve admitted that they did not want to race alongside one another. The Italian-American highlighted the history between the families of the two. Steiner further mentioned that Alpine should have never signed both of them together in the first place.

One of them should have said, ‘I cannot be in the team with this other guy’, and somebody else maybe should have seen that. Everybody knows about the history of the two of them and even their parents apparently, they had to keep them apart.
Guenther Steiner explained

Certainly, Alpine will reportedly replace Esteban Ocon for next season. There were rumors that Ocon could be sacked for the Canadian GP. However, after the 27-year-old’s public apology, it seems that the French team is ready to complete the season with its current driver line-up.

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