At the beginning of the month, the Alpine clan celebrated the double French podium of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, during the Brazilian Grand Prix. A real feat, given the disastrous performance of the A524 throughout this season. Thanks to several racing events and a little help from the rain, the two men were able to achieve this performance. Since Spain in 1997, Formula 1 had not seen two French drivers on a podium, with Jean Alesi and Olivier Panis.
But last weekend, the joy of São Paulo quickly died out after a catastrophic meeting for the Enstone team, on the Strip track in Las Vegas. However, it all started well, Pierre Gasly had set the third time during qualifying. But the next day, during the main event, the Norman was forced to retire due to engine failure. As for his compatriot, Esteban Ocon, the latter crossed the finish line in seventeenth place, a real nightmare. Unfortunately, at the end of this round, Alpine left empty-handed, being overtaken by Haas in the constructors' championship, now sixth.
The page turns in Qatar
After a difficult time living in the capital of vice, it is time for Alpine to remobilize. 24 hours before the start of hostilities, for the Qatar Grand Prix, Ocon and Gasly gave their objectives for this twenty-third stage. In the two previous editions, the Blues finished in the points, including a podium for Fernando Alonso in 2021. Can such a result happen again? The French have given their answers.
Esteban Ocon : “I can’t wait to return to Qatar. The conditions will be very different from what we just had in Las Vegas and the change in dates within the calendar should provide better conditions than in 2023. As this is the last Sprint weekend of the year , every moment on the track will count. The key will be to take full advantage of free practice on Friday to be ready for what comes next. We had a good result last year, qualifying eighth and finishing the race seventh. So the objective will be to repeat that and try to fight for points in this penultimate round of the season. »
Pierre Gasly : “I'm really happy to return to Qatar and get back behind the wheel so quickly after a complicated weekend in Las Vegas. The Lusail International Circuit is smooth and fast, I really like driving there. There are overtaking opportunities with the long pit straight, but it can be tricky to keep up with the cars through the fast corners the rest of the lap. We will look to replicate our pace seen in previous events and fight for points throughout the weekend. As this is the last Sprint of the calendar, it will be important to be in the game immediately on Friday morning as every session will count. I have qualified well every year in Qatar, including for the Sprint, and I want to extend our run of Q3 before continuing this momentum in the race. »
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In Brief
This weekend, for the twenty-third stage of the championship, the F1 paddock goes to Qatar, to the Losail track. 24 hours before the start of hostilities, the two Alpine drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly gave their impressions before the start of this race meeting.
