Esteban Ocon, Alpine, Monaco, 2023

Ocon says Alpine ‘didn’t put a foot wrong’ on way to podium

2023 Monaco Grand Prix

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Esteban Ocon praised his Alpine team after scoring his first podium finish since 2021 in the Monaco Grand Prix.

He started the race from third on the grid and finished there despite making two pits stops – once to switch to medium tyres and another when ran began to fall, to his intermediates.

Ocon’s result is a major boost for the team which was sharply criticised by CEO Laurent Rossi during the last race weekend in Miami. The driver said the team had got everything right from the moment they started work in the simulator for the race weekend.

“We’ve done it,” said a jubilant Ocon after the race. “What a super weekend from everyone at the team.

“From the first day from the simulator really. All the practice sessions we improved the car, from beginning to end, and we didn’t make a wrong foot any time, even when we put the inter tyres it was the perfect lap to do so.”

His last podium appearance came at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, where he claimed his sole grand prix win to date.

“I’m just enjoying the moment now,” said Ocon. “It’s been a while since I’ve been on the podium and I hope this is the first of many.”

The wet conditions caught out many drivers including race winner Max Verstappen, who clipped the barrier at Portier at one stage. However Ocon said he didn’t make any contact.

“I touched the wall enough yesterday,” he said. “I didn’t today. It gives less of a heart attack to the team!”

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2023 Monaco Grand Prix

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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5 comments on “Ocon says Alpine ‘didn’t put a foot wrong’ on way to podium”

  1. A really really good race weekend from both Ocon and from Alpine altogether.

    1. Indeed @bascb, they were operationally strong this time. That podium is a deserved reward.

  2. Hey @todfod, Stroll that Alonso keeps praising ended his race in the barrier, while Ocon you labeled a “mediocre driver” (your own words) finished 3rd in a slower car.

    Sure, Alonso is a formidable driver, but Ocon is not as bad as you think (or Alonso thinks for the matter).

    1. @x303

      Alonso has to praise his boss’ son if he wants the pay cheque .. lol.

      Stroll has consistently been one of the worse, if not the worst driver on the grid ever since he entered F1. If that’s the benchmark, then Ocon is still mediocre.

      Personally, I thought this was Ocon’s strongest race weekend yet. He did luck in to the podium with Leclerc’s grid penalty and Russell’s late race error. Even though Ocon’s race pace was quite unspectacular, as he caused a massive train behind him, he didn’t crack under the pressure Lewis was putting on him.. so good on him. I would say he was slightly better than mediocre this weekend.. but he’ll be back to getting beaten by Gasly really soon again.

  3. On feet.
    I liked Alonso’s one foot on the top step of the podium , good fun.

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