Alpine pair of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were pleased with a double podium which was unthinkable for them, as the two reflect on long journey they have had.
Considering how they have been performing in 2024 F1 season, nobody even gave an outside of a podium to Alpine, leave alone getting a double. But the tricky conditions and a brave gamble paid dividends to the troubled French outfit, with a P2 and P3 finish.
It was Ocon ahead of Gasly to make it two French drivers on the podium in decades to happen. It happened with a pair who were friends once as young karters, but turned foe as their journey progressed in single-seaters, only to be united as teammates in F1.
They have had their days of disagreements but continued their partnership without a major drama. With Ocon to leave Alpine for Haas in 2025, they got a chance to be on the podium together as teammates – call it destiny. Gasly reflected about their journey as both got a tad bit emotional of their relation.
Ocon made merry in qualifying after finishing fourth, whereas Gasly was down in 15th – although the latter made two places even before the start. The former ran fourth for major part of the grand prix, while the latter was up inside the Top 10 in the early stages of the wet race.
Then came the gamble of staying out and fighting the conditions as Ocon took the F1 Brazil GP lead from Max Verstappen and Gasly was up to third. Their idea worked as red flag allowed for a free stop. The re-start worked well for Ocon who maintained his lead over the Dutchman.
But another safety car period did not help as Verstappen made a solid move to take the F1 Brazil GP lead and stretch out 19s from Ocon, who was untroubled in second by teammate Gasly. He, in turn, had George Russell on his tail until the chequered as they maintained track position.
Whether the car worked in the conditions or not, it was a welcome result for Alpine, which helped them to jump to sixth in the constructors’ standings over Haas, Visa Cash App and Williams. They now have 49 points to Haas’ 46 and VCARB’s 44 in a tight pack, who will now fight until Abu Dhabi.
Team boss Oliver Oakes felt good to secure a result like that amid a year where it has been difficult to find motivation to compete. However, he wants the team to be humble about it knowing that they are still not where they want to be, but praised the drivers for delivering in such conditions.
Podium, result –
Ocon: “Well, I was saying before, I’m not sure that is a reality or still a dream. But I smell champagne, so I think it is reality. But yeah, it’s been an incredible day. Who would have thought, first of all, that we were going to qualify fourth, where we qualified. We were very, very quick as soon as these conditions pulled out today. It really levels out the field in here. And it feels great to be just able to fight with other cars, to fight with the guys that are at the front as well. And it shows that we’ve still got it. And when there’s an opportunity, we are always there to be able to take it.
“Yeah, we were leading the race at some point. That was a special moment. I was pulling away from Max in that first restart. It was going super well. Unfortunately, at the end, a reality check came back and Max was still better than us. But, yeah, it feels extremely great and even greater now because we’ve had a difficult couple of races lately where things don’t really work the way we want for us. But it clearly shows, you know, that we’ve still got it when it’s not all about the car and it’s also about driving.”
Gasly: “Yeah, of course. I don’t think anyone can understand. You know, it’s a very personal relationship between Esteban and myself. But we’ve been going through so much. And as he mentioned, all these times we’ve had, like over winter, minus 5 degrees outside, we were the only ones showing up at the go-kart track, going out in the rain, in the snow, slick tyres, 9, 10, 11 years old. And we’ve really practiced these conditions. And on a day like today, I can tell you this actually made the difference, all that practice. I remember us getting back in the truck trying to get warm after a few laps because we were absolutely freezing.
“And it’s just that we’ve had our ups and downs. But as you said, this two years chapter as team-mates, I think we can be very proud of the way we’ve pushed the team forward. It’s been tough, obviously, this season, but we’ve always tried to push the team in the right direction to never give up. And on a day like today, even when the car has misbehaved for the majority of the season, everyone tried to put the A game, and it was just an historical day for the team. So very proud for everyone working in the team to achieve such a performance.”
Oakes: “For me, it’s just a great result for the team. Across Enstone and Viry – that’s a big result after last couple of years, or even the beginning of this year. No, I think, obviously, since Austin, we’ve had a bit of pace with this upgrade. I think, obviously, even yesterday with Pierre, it was a strong race, but I think credit to everyone today, really, because the drivers were just sent in the debrief. They didn’t put a foot wrong. It was tricky conditions, and also the strategy, those calls, everything. It was a good day, and even the pace in the race, Esteban was very strong, I think.
“Credit to Max as well. He’s impressive as well in those conditions. I don’t know if sweet is the right word. It is a real big result today, but I was thinking this earlier. You’ve got to enjoy the moment, but also be humble because there’s still quite a few races left, isn’t there? I think more for the team as a whole. Beginning of the season, they got a lot of mud slung at them, I guess you could say, or a bit of stick. I think you can see how much it means to them.”
Confidence, Verstappen, Russell –
Ocon: “No, not necessarily. I think we are normally better on the rain. It’s difficult to be worse at times than where we are on the dry, especially lately. Don’t laugh, please. But it’s definitely great to be able to execute such a race. The team have been spot on on strategy calls, tyres, And when everyone is on a level playing field, we can play and here we were. Yeah, Max clearly was quicker on that second stint, so there was no way for me to be fighting. He pulled away very quickly, as I thought he would have done. But yes, I told him after the race, I was very impressed on how late he could brake to the inside without locking up the front. That’s what has happened to a lot of drivers. Probably in qualifying, 90% of my laps, I had the front locking into Turn 1. But yeah, he made it stick, and it was a nice move.”
Gasly: “Yeah, he was quite big in the mirrors. I must say it wasn’t easy. It was difficult conditions. I wasn’t at ease with the car balance. So I was kind of like fighting it a bit. But I always had him at bay. I don’t think he ever had the idea of trying anything. So I knew as long as I keep him within one second, it’ll be good enough. He damaged a bit his tyres. So it was a long end of the race, but we managed to hold him off. There was Lando at the restart and Charles as well. So we’ve had our fair battles during the entire race, which felt like an eternity, to be fair, with the red flag and in these conditions. But yeah, we managed to make the right calls, faultless drive and strategy and excellent day for the team.”
What does it mean, French double –
Ocon: “Well, it’s not signed off yet. There are more races to go, three more. But yeah, if that’s the reward, then I’m very happy to call it that this is the reward. It’s been five years of good moments, more difficult moments, of course. But, yeah, extremely happy and proud, you know, of me and Pierre, to be honest. We’ve had our stories at times, but it’s been incredible to do that last formation lap.
“A lot of flashbacks came back to my memories, when we were racing on the wet in go-karts, when we were young, even in the snow with the slick tyres, we were both racing together and waiting for the podium or the win to come. And today, yeah, it tastes a bit like that. So, yeah, beautiful story from where we come from. And, yeah, that one will for sure forever stay engraved.”
Gasly: “Yeah, I didn’t know the stat. I heard it as well from some French people. It’s quite cool. I like to hear that we are making things happen after quite a long time. All French people had to wait for a long time. But yeah, it’s pretty special. Was it Jean Alesi with… Or was it Arnoux and… Arnaud and Alesi? Or Panis! But, no, it makes it very special. I mean, on a day, as I say, like today, for the entire team, for Esteban, for myself, on such a tough season. It’s been very difficult for everyone at times. You’ve got to come every single weekend with the same mindset, the same approach, trying to put your best, even though you know that your chances are not really high.
“But it’s important to never give up because, you know, especially on days like today, anything’s possible. And I’m very grateful for all the work the team has been doing because it all makes it worth it on a day like today when we get both cars on the podium. I don’t think anyone in the world today would have thought at some point this year, two Alpines are going to be on the podium. Well, if there is one, he’s an absolute legend! That’s what I love about Formula 1, that you get these type of opportunities. And you’ve got to show up. It’s not guaranteed. Could have been many other guys that make it happen. But at the end of the day, it was Esteban and myself.”
Strategy –
Oakes: “No, I don’t know. We were just debating that in there. I think you also have to be humble. I think certain points we were there, whether the advantage was being in front with no spray or not, but at the end, it was a great race from everybody. I think at that stage of the race, every team had their reasons for what they did [in terms of strategy]. I think for us, track position was key, you could see that it was hard to pass. I think obviously everybody got a bit caught out even after that pit stop of just how wet it was. I think a little luck always plays a part, but I think actually the strategy was right to prioritise that. Also, the feedback, because it isn’t just the guys in the pit or the communication with the drivers. It was proper today.
“No, it [pitting] was debated, but it wasn’t a stress, I would say. I think it was just well balanced. I think we saw in the wet quali everyone was neck and neck, really. It was depending on who got a good lap, track position. It’s interesting, you sit there and someone says, do you want it to rain more? And you go, well, we were strong in the rain, but actually the last few race, I think the pace has been there in the dry. It’s good for the team. No, to be honest, we just let him [Esteban] get on with it. At the end, I think in those conditions, you have to trust them as well. They know what they’re doing. That’s my opinion.”
Driver performance –
Oakes: “I think, yeah, Esteban, he was very strong. Well, you can see that all day, to be fair to him. I think, to be fair, him and Pierre, they’re a bit like that. They’re always sort of clipping each other’s heels is what I’d say, but it’s nice to see both of them on the podium as well. It’s not lost on me.”
Start scene –
Oakes: “I was actually laughing because I think it was a year ago, a year and a half ago in Middle East in F4 actually, the same thing happened. So everyone else hasn’t seen it for a while, but I was laughing because young drivers in those situations, it is messy. To be honest, once I dare say two or three had gone, you’re like, well, okay, let’s go now, because you can’t sit there on the grid overheating. But I guess to the outside world, it was pretty confusing.”
Revival –
Oakes: “Obviously when you arrive, like I did just before shutdown, I think they’d just got a point in Spa, if I’m right or wrong. And then Zandvoort was also another point, and that was a good race. But then those last three races where it was tricky. Yeah, those sort of races beyond that where we had, I would say, some tough weekends where we really saw some things that are hurting us at the moment. It was quite nice, I dare say, getting to Austin and seeing some performance. And now, we have to feel confident for the remaining races, but also humble that it’s really competitive in that midfield. You can see that every time you go on track. In terms what the result means, I wouldn’t say this early, it does dawn on me, it’s quite a big day to enjoy that part of me thinks I probably don’t appreciate it as much as I should.
“Because yeah, when you’re a racer you want to win as well and honestly when Max passed, it’s like ‘aargghh’, but that’s a good thing because you want to be there. On the other side, it does hit you when you see all the garage rushing to the podium and also to have a double podium, I didn’t really appreciate that to be honest until the guys all said it so. That is a big day actually for the team aside from everyone saying about the money moving up in the championship, that wasn’t something I ever really focused on. For me, when I took the job, it was really about bringing back a bit of racing spirit to the team, a bit of I dare say belief back in the team and I think it’s early days still at the end of the day.”
Here’s Esteban Ocon losing out to Max Verstappen: https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2024-sao-paulo-grand-prix-verstappen-pounces-to-take-the-lead-from-ocon-on-the-safety-car-restart.1814723896147791486
Here’s Max Verstappen on Esteban Ocon
Here’s how F1 Brazil GP panned out
Here’s how F1 Brazil GP sprint panned out
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