Esteban Ocon said Alpine’s double podium finish was a “dream” result for the team, but he couldn’t have kept Max Verstappen behind to him.
The pair, who clashed at the Interlagos track six years ago when Ocon tried to un-lap himself from Verstappen, swapped the lead after the final restart in today’s race. Verstappen went on to win while Ocon led team mate Pierre Gasly to the podium in Alpine’s best result of the season by far.Ocon managed to keep Verstappen behind him at the first rolling restart but said there was no way to keep him back at the second.
“Max clearly was quicker on that second stint, so there was no way for me to be fighting,” said Ocon.
“He pulled away very quickly, as I thought he would have done. I told him after the race, I was very impressed on how late he could brake to the inside without locking up the front. That’s what has happened to a lot of drivers.
“Probably in qualifying, 90% of my laps, I had the front locking into turn one. But yeah, he made it stick, and it was a nice move.”
Neither Alpine driver had finished a grand prix higher than ninth place prior to today’s race. However they took advantage of today’s rain-hit qualifying and grand prix to score 33 points, lifting them three places in the constructors’ championship to sixth.
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“I’m not sure that it is a reality or still a dream, but I smell champagne, so I think it is reality,” said Ocon. “But it’s been an incredible day.
“Who would have thought, first of all, that we were going to qualify fourth, where we qualified. We were very, very quick as soon as these conditions pulled out today. It really levels out the field in here.
“It feels great to be just able to fight with other cars, to fight with the guys that are at the front as well. It shows that we’ve still got it and when there’s an opportunity, we are always there to be able to take it.”
Ocon felt he had a chance to win before the final restart gave Verstappen a chance to overtake. “We were leading the race at some point, that was a special moment,” he said. “I was pulling away from Max in that first restart. It was going super-well. Unfortunately, at the end, a reality check came back and Max was still better than us.
“But it feels extremely great and even greater now because we’ve had a difficult couple of races lately where things don’t really work the way we want for us. But it clearly shows that we’ve still got it when it’s not all about the car and it’s also about driving.”
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Riccard
3rd November 2024, 21:59
As a general rule, the drivers are far less tribal than the fans.
The drivers know each other, hang out together, understand how hard the job is.
When they saw each other after the race, all three of the podium finishers were happy with their races, happy to see each other, and happy to compliment each other. That’s no surprise.
miciek (@micio)
3rd November 2024, 22:12
They were happy because they got lucky, right?
EffWunFan (@cairnsfella)
4th November 2024, 1:05
This ‘might’ be true, though I am not sure it’s particularly substantiated. Given that we have all heard drivers being negative about other teams and/or drivers. By the same token the comments here generally seem to acknowledge good driver/team performances even when not the commenter’s driver/team of choice.
It may seem otherwise, but that is because the partisan comments tend to ignite the most debate. Do you imagine the broader fan base to be more tribal than those on forums such as these.
But given that the Alpine drivers exceeded all expectations and are not really in direct competition with Max then the joviality and camaraderie is indeed unsurprising.
I also get the impression that the drivers “hang out” a lot less than colleagues in more mainstream occupations. But that is just the view I have and may be wrong.
w0o0dy (@w0o0dy)
3rd November 2024, 23:00
Max absolutely cooked British press in the post race press conference. MV:”I have a question. I don’t see any British press, did they have to catch a plane or something or don’t they know where the press conference is, maybe? ”
This British journalists got burnt, 3rd degree burns, or maybe even cremated. Hahaha Max is a legend and they are what I scrape from the bottom of my shoes.
EffWunFan (@cairnsfella)
4th November 2024, 1:06
.
I am so glad that I do not walk the same paths as you.
Jere (@jerejj)
4th November 2024, 6:33
He couldn’t realistically tell that not a single Brit was in the press conference room as I doubt he’s aware of literally every single one who regularly attends GPs.
Bojangles
4th November 2024, 7:46
No but the general idea is pretty clear don´t you think?
w0o0dy (@w0o0dy)
4th November 2024, 8:22
I think you underestimate Max. He has a keen eye and really good memory. I bet he knew exactly who (the big names) are that were absent. The guys from AutoCar, Sky sports, Autosport etc…
I would take a bet he can name 10 people that would normally have been present but where absent.
And I would refuse to answer them or give interviews with them for the remainder of the season, especially when he claims his 4th title.
Mayrton
4th November 2024, 9:53
The world knows exactly what he means and we all had a good laugh about it. “The toddler brigade” (crying whenever a toy is taken from them) we call them.
Grapmg
4th November 2024, 10:06
That is so funny. I will have to watch that press conf to see that.
schooner (@schooner)
4th November 2024, 0:15
The Haas gang must be reeling after today’s poor showing along with Alpine’s 33 point stunner. I’m hoping they can get back to 6th and hold it. Recent form (mostly) suggests they should be able to.
Jere (@jerejj)
4th November 2024, 6:37
This unexpected double podium could well prove decisive for the constructors’ championship, even though normal service inevitably awaits them in Las Vegas, given which locations remain for this season.
While Williams is unlikely to repass them, VCARB & especially Haas could do so purely under normal circumstances despite points opportunities being limited to all these two.
As for the race outcome, neither did I think Ocon could keep the race lead until the end despite pulling off around 3.5 seconds before the last SC period, with the gap starting to reduce already before that neutralization.
Grapmg
4th November 2024, 10:09
Never expected to see those three hugging each other. Great podium. Hope Alpine keeps that position in the WCC.
pcxmac (@pcxmac)
4th November 2024, 10:56
maybe the best finish of the season. Not a huge fan of Max of Alpine too. But it was good to see RBR pull it in and the good vibes.