Ocon combative for Canadian GP: 'We are fighters, we can challenge them'

"We can be proud of how the team has bounced back following a difficult start to the season, which we know was below our expectations. We have scored double points at each of the last three races and achieved a deserved podium as well. The team has been working flat-out to deliver these results so all credit to them, both at the factories and at the track," Ocon said.

Critical Alpine CEO

Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi waxed lyrical about Ocon's performance after the Monaco Grand Prix. Rossi was very critical of Alpine in the first months of the season. Things had to change quickly or measures would follow.

"However, we are not at the level of our competitors in front so that is something we are addressing as we still want to the achieve the ambitious targets that we have set ourselves at the beginning of the year. We are fighters and we believe we can challenge our competitors on the track like we’ve shown already at races this season."

Canadian support for Ocon

Not only on track but also apart from that, Ocon is happy with Alpine. The Frenchman also feels the support in the French-speaking part of Canada. " It will be great to race in front of the passionate Canadian fans again," added the 26-year-old driver.

"As soon as we land, we can really feel the support around us. Of course, Montréal is predominantly a French-speaking city so it does add something special to us French drivers. It is a cool and vibrant town, which transforms during the weekend of the Grand Prix, as it seems that F1 is everywhere and that is great to see! It’s a favourite on the F1 calendar and we are happy to be back here and hope to have a good weekend," the Alpine driver told.