System One star Esteban Ocon has denied studies of a bodily conflict with Haas crew principal Ayao Komatsu.
Ocon has been abruptly dropped for this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix and changed by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa.
The Frenchman, who was attributable to depart the crew on the finish of the season anyway, obtained right into a dispute about tyre technique with race engineer Laura Mueller throughout Friday’s second follow session.
And L’Equipe declare he obtained right into a row with principal Komatsu which descended right into a ‘potential bodily altercation’.
However Ocon wrote on X: ‘Final evening, a distinction in viewpoints led to a dialogue with the events concerned.
‘While I acknowledge that this occurred, I categorically reject any studies or allegations suggesting that any type of bodily violence was used to resolve any variations of any nature.
Esteban Ocon has denied getting right into a bodily conflict with Haas crew principal Ayao Komatsu – however has been dropped for the Mexican Grand Prix
‘I strongly condemn violence in all its kinds and firmly consider that disagreements ought to all the time be dealt with with professionalism, respect, and mutual understanding. I kindly ask that hypothesis be prevented whereas the matter is being addressed.’
It’s unclear if Ocon will drive for Haas in any of the remaining 5 races this season.
The choice to demote Ocon for at the least this weekend got here following his argument with race engineer Mueller after the crew tried to modify the tyre plan.
Mueller informed Ocon that he had to make use of the medium tyre compound reasonably than the delicate as deliberate.
Ocon, 30, hit again: ‘No, no. I wish to do delicate… do not try this to me, come on.’
The driving force is preventing for his future in System One as he’s set to get replaced by System 2 championship chief and Ferrari junior Rafael Camara at Haas.
Sky Sports activities’ Ted Kravitz broke down the scenario as such: ‘Esteban is available on the market, he’s not right here subsequent yr.
‘He desires to indicate that he’s obtained one of the best tempo potential for the one seat that’s up, which is Valtteri Bottas’ Cadillac seat, regardless that Cadillac has informed us that Ocon is just not in rivalry for that drive.
‘We perceive that he went to see the crew boss Ayao Komatsu and there was some form of row. They’d a giant row and basically Haas have sacked him. We don’t know any extra particulars.
‘All we all know is that logically, he obtained into an argument with Haas and Haas have sacked him, or benched him. It’s gone authorized, Ayao Komatsu can’t say something however that’s the scenario.’
