It had been twenty-seven years since we had seen two French people on the same podium in Formula 1. Sunday November 3, 2024, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly finished 2 respectively.e et 3e at the Brazilian Grand Prix. We have to go back to 1997 to see such a picture again, with a Spanish Grand Prix where Olivier Panis and Jean Alesi finished 2e et 3e behind the Canadian Jacques Villeneuve. But beyond that, this Sunday was historic, because it was a Norman hat-trick that was celebrated. Esteban Ocon is from Évreux, Pierre Gasly from Rouen and the Alpine brand is from Dieppe.
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Say it “loud and clear”
It was enough to make more than one smile in the port of northern Normandy. Wednesday November 6, 2024 was unpacking day at the port. A little before 9:30 a.m., not all of the passers-by we met felt concerned. “I no longer follow F1 since it is no longer in the clear”, that one blurted out without stopping. “I’m not, but I heard my friend talking about it and I like it when Normandy wins, confided Isabelle, a forty-year-old who lives on the outskirts of Dieppe. We don’t always have the opportunity to say it and we must do it loud and clear! »
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Bets launched within the manufacture
A pride that we find even more in the mouths of true enthusiasts, happy to share all the flavor of this leopard-colored victory. Starting with those who work in the Alpine Dieppe Jean-Rédélé factory, which employs 400 people.
“I have always been interested in F1 and I watch all the grands prix, confides Dany Defontaine. I already followed Renault in the past but it’s true that when Mr. De Meo (general director of Renault group) decided to bring the Alpine name to the Formula 1 team, it was big news for us. »
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In the company, many employees say they are proud of this new adventure. “Within the company, we monitor closely and bets are launched for each grand prix. » Until this dream weekend for the Normandy factory, the season was rather dull. “It’s true that the rain helped because our car is less powerful than others, but the quality of the drivers allowed this result. We must not forget that they were in the lead for half the race. Alpine went from 9e at 6e place in the constructors’ world championship and there are only three grand prix left, so that gives some suspense for the future. »
For the last grand prix, out of 400 employees at the Normandy factory, more than 120 took part in the betting. There is no doubt that the new situation will encourage others to play the game.
