It is curious that Alonso’s first podium with Aston Martin match a race to forget at Alpine. Gasly scored points, saved ninth after starting last, but Ocon had one of his worst Sundays as a Formula 1 driver. And that was hardly responsible. Fernando’s ex-partner started ninth, but a poor grid position placement cost him a five-second penalty.
As everything that goes wrong can go worse, the FIA applied a second penalty of five seconds to Ocon for not serving the first penalty correctly (the mechanics started working on the car too early during the pit stop) and another third penalty, also five seconds, for exceeding the maximum speed limit in the ‘pit-lane’. He would later retire on lap 43.
“Impressive, it was not our day. Normally we are very good at operational issues such as ‘pit-stops’, but everything went wrong this sunday. It had never happened in the past. I am surprised but we will analyze it and we will come back stronger”, said Ocon after the race. “We were in the race to score points, It’s a missed opportunity.” hill.
