Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall
11/04/2024 12:43 PM
Alpine's remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly felt as good as an outright win for the French outfit.
Not only was this result a landmark for the ream, but the points surge has pushed Alpine up three spots in F1's Constructors' standings — a leap that could translate into a $30 million windfall if they maintain this position until the season's end.
With strategy, teamwork, and no shortage of grit, the Enstone squad executed a near-flawless race plan under treacherous, rain-soaked conditions.
Ocon and Gasly held their ground through smart race management and strategic timing on their pit stops, staying out longer than many rivals on their initial set of intermediate tyres. Their patience paid off, as a red flag later in the race allowed both drivers a free tyre change that secured their positions.
Alpine's new team principal Oliver Oakes was elated by the achievement, especially given the struggles endured by 'les bleus' this season.
"For me, it's just a great result for the team," he said. "Across Enstone and Viry - that's a big result after the last couple of years, or even the beginning of this year. This does help us to keep the confidence going in the team."
Oakes emphasized how the team's incremental progress in recent races has helped lay the groundwork for their success in Brazil.
"Since I arrived after the shutdown, I could see already the build-up to Austin with the sort of tempering of expectations, because it has been really hard to develop a car, especially in-season," he added.
"In Austin, I was sort of full of praise for the fact we brought performance to the car and it was nice to back that up in another way with points in Mexico. And then I think here to see another improvement on that - it definitely does help.
"Credit to everyone at Enstone and Viry, because for them, it does mean a lot. You can see that. The drivers didn't put a foot wrong in tricky conditions. And also, strategy, those calls, everything. It was a good day."
Gasly, who joined Alpine last year, also sees the São Paulo result as validation of the hard work he and Ocon have put into driving Alpine forward.
Their personal history as friends, rivals, and now teammates has added some unique layers to their collaboration, but they've consistently worked to bring Alpine back on track.
"I think we can be very proud of the way we've pushed the team forward," said Gasly. "It's been tough, but we've always tried to push the team in the right direction to never give up.
"On a day like today, even when the car has misbehaved for the majority of the season, everyone tried to [bring their] A-game, and it was just a historical day for the team. So, I'm very proud of everyone working in the team to achieve such a performance."
With Alpine now sitting sixth in the Constructors' standings, the additional prize money could be transformative.
Last weekend's result not only affirms the team's progress but hints at a potentially rewarding future for a squad that has fought through setbacks, proving that perseverance and a solid race plan can go a long way in Formula 1.
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