Ocon hit with pit lane start after Alpine Parc Fermé exit

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In another blow to Alpine's race weekend in Baku, the team has been forced to take Esteban Ocon's car out of Parc Fermé which will equate to a pitlane start for the Frenchman for Saturday's Sprint but also for Sunday's Grand Prix.

Alpine's wretched weekend started with a hydraulic leak on Pierre Gasly's A523 in free practice, which led to a massive effort by his crews to prepare his car in time for qualifying, only for Gasly to conclude his session prematurely in the wall.

On the other side of the Alpine garage, Ocon lost track time due to a gearbox fitting issue.

Alas the bout of misfortune extended into Saturday, with Gasly unable to take part in the Sprint Shootout due to an exhaust leak.

Read also: A Friday to forget for frustrated Gasly in Baku

Furthermore, Alpine was compelled to pull Ocon's car out of Parc Fermé, to conduct work on the A523's suspension set-up.

But the move hits Ocon with a double whammy as F1 Sprint format regulations stipulate that when a car is taken out of parc Fermé, the pit lane start applies to both the Sprint race and to Sunday's main event.

"Car number 31 should now be required to start the Sprint and the Race from the pit lane according to Article 40.9 of the 2023 Formula One Sporting regulations", read a note from FIA Technical delegate Jo Bauer.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.