By signing an improbable double podium at the 2024 F1 São Paulo Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly propelled Alpine from ninth to sixth place in the manufacturers’ standings. A boost in various respects for the Enstone-based team and which could make a difference of 30 million dollars at the end of the year.
Of course, the success was maximum for Alpine whose result largely depended on the choice not to go to the pits when the conditions worsened. Subsequently, events worked in favor of the French drivers, the red flag caused, under Safety Car, by Franco Colapinto, definitively placing them in the top 3 by allowing them to change tires without losing position.
If, during the first restart of the race, Ocon had managed to escape in front of Max Verstappen, who had also benefited from the same success during the red flag, the Dutchman quickly attacked him on the second restart to win easily. But behind, the Alpine drivers held on.
And while the French team had only scored 16 points in 20 Grands Prix and five sprints, it suddenly added 33 points to its total this Sunday to count 49 points with three events remaining at the end of the season, placing itself back in sixth place, three points ahead of Haas and five points ahead of VCARB.
Beyond the Interlagos result and the morale boost for the team which has gone through a lot of challenges for more than a year, this jump in the hierarchy could have considerable importance in terms of end-of-season bonuses. If Alpine manages to stay ahead of Haas, VCARB and Williams, it is $30 million more than it could hope for compared to the penultimate place it previously occupied.
Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly congratulate each other after arriving at Interlagos.
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“For me it’s a great result for the team”declared Oliver Oakes, the director of the team, who experienced his first great joy this Sunday since he took the reins in the summer. “Between Enstone and Viry, it’s an important result after the last two years, or even the start of this season.”
“It helps us maintain confidence within the team. Since I arrived after the summer break, I have seen that expectations were tempered ahead of Austin [où l’écurie a introduit un package majeur d’évolutions]because it was very difficult to develop the car, especially during the season.”
“In Austin, I was kind of complimentary about the fact that we brought performance to the car and it was good to confirm that in another way by scoring points in Mexico. And then I think that here, seeing another improvement in this area, it really helps.”
“The credit goes to all the employees at Enstone and Viry, because for them it means a lot. It shows. The drivers did not make the slightest mistake in difficult conditions. And also, at the level of the strategy, decisions, everything that happened… It was a good day.”
With Filip Cleeren
