Haas was unaware of Alpine using Ocon release as leverage

Hass boss Komatsu had agreed with Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes several weeks ago to be allowed to get hold of Ocon for next week's tyre test at the Yas Marina circuit in a bid to give him a head start for next year.

However, it emerged at last weekend's Qatar Grand Prix that Alpine laid down an ultimatum to Ocon in the hours before the race that if he did not give up his race seat for this weekend then he would not be released for the test.

If it's true what Komatsu says, then that is really shitty behaviour by Alpine once again: agree to something and then retroactively alter the deal.