Vehicle drive apparatus control apparatus

A control device of a vehicle drive device comprising an engine and an electric motor acting as a drive force source for running, a mechanical oil pump driven by at least one of the engine and the electric motor, a hydraulic power transmission device transmitting power of the engine and the electric motor to drive wheels, and an engagement device interposed between the hydraulic power transmission device and the drive wheels, the engagement device transmitting power input from the hydraulic power transmission device to the drive wheels when engaged,

• while the electric motor drives the mechanical oil pump while an operation of the engine is stopped, the control device executing neutral control of putting the engagement device into a slip state or a released state to suppress power transmission between the hydraulic power transmission device and the drive wheels,
• the hydraulic power transmission device including a lockup clutch mechanically coupling input and output members of the hydraulic power transmission device when engaged,
• the lockup clutch being engaged during executing of the neutral control, and after the control device determines that the engine is likely to be restarted after a stop of operation while the vehicle is kept stopped, the lockup clutch being released.