Alpine has done it. They are the best of mortals and their fourth place in the Constructors’ World Championship corroborates it. After an intense fight with McLaren, the French team took the duel in Abu Dhabi, although he was already on his way from Brazil, when the two abandonments of those from Woking left him practically ready for sentencing. Only a hecatomb would throw fourth place overboard, but Esteban Ocon was able to finish seventh in Yas Marina, just behind Lando Norris. However, Fernando Alonso did not have the best of his luck again: in his last appointment with the French team, he had to retire due to problems with his car.
The same tonic as the whole season. The price to pay for prioritizing power over reliability, Alpine’s big pending score for 2023. But, once again, the problem lies with the car with number 14, the one that has lost so many points (more than 50) Along every course. Asked, once again, by his teammate, Esteban Ocon continues to insist: he also had his “problems”. And he keeps the most important thing, being able to overcome a two-time world champion. The Frenchman finished eighth overall in points, while Alonso had to settle for ninth place: “It tastes good. He is a very very fast driver. Obviously, I had to raise my level as much as I could and finishing the year in front of him is a good satisfaction”.
At the Asturian’s farewell, Ocon also dedicated a few words to him: “It has been great working with Fernando and pushing the team to that level. So I’m delighted that I got to spend two years with him. I wish you the best at Aston Martin and I hope we can fight in the future as well.” Now his motivation is greater for being able to beat him in different brands. But all that glitters is not gold, he will also have to deal with a strong new teammate and with whom, moreover, he also had friction in the past: Pierre Gasly.
For that there are still months to come and, above all, a busy winter in which Alpine’s task is to find the formula to gain reliability. At least, the feelings left by the course are positive and Ocon closes his best year in the ‘Gran Circo’. “Obviously, in the end, the only thing I’ve been missing this year is a podium. Due to various circumstances we were unable to do so. I hope we can achieve several next season ”, he comments. “We have met all the goals we set for ourselves, we finished fourth in the Constructors’ World Championship. I thank God for it. I lost two and a half kilos over the weekend (in Abu Dhabi) from stress and being too focused. It is also my best season in F1 in terms of points”, sums up the French driver.
