Once upon a time, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were destined for successful careers with a top Formula 1 team; the former with Mercedes, the other with Red Bull Racing. But in reality, they are currently hobbling along at the back of the F1 grid with their current team Alpine. Improvement in the short term seems unrealistic because their car is weak. That is certainly not good for the two French drivers, whose careers in Formula 1 are at stake.