Ocon has received a very special gift from Alpine

In 2021, Esteban Ocon won the Hungarian Grand Prix. Completely against the odds, the Frenchman won for the first time in Formula 1. Three years on, Ocon has kept a nice present from that victory. Last week the same car, the A521, was delivered to the Ocon family.

"That's something that's been written in the contract. Amazing, obviously, to finally receive it. I've waited a long time, but it's now a past-generation car. It's like a historic car now, which is quite crazy. The emotions that we went through, my parents and all the people I love were there. And to see it coming in the garage was more than special. At the same time, we put some old suits, some old trophies as well. And I got to see all the trophies that I got throughout my career. It was very emotional. We had a little cry with my dad."

A special gift for the Ocon family

Should Ocon win another race, he will get another car. ''For that, I have to read back (my contract), but probably yes." According to Ocon, it will be the complete car, with an engine and gearbox. Whether he will ever drive it? "One day, if I want to run it again. I don't know, in 10, 15 years, why not? It's a very special track day car, let's call it like that."

The car is now in the garage of Ocon's father. "It is planned to move somewhere else, where it will be on display and other people will be able to see it as well. But yeah, we plan on having it at the family garage for all of us to be able to see it and to enjoy it." According to Ocon, his father was, therefore, particularly proud. "It's a proud moment for sure. He's cleaned the garage for three days and made sure you could eat on the floor,  which was, quite a lot of work! We are all delighted."

When GPblog asks about that race and how it came through certain circumstances, Ocon says: "Well, we've done it. Which is the most important thing. The most special thing, for sure. It was not planned and we didn't expect it because we didn't have the speed, you to be able to get there. But it was a very solid weekend where we got the maximum out of everything. We resist a four-time world champion behind the whole race. And, you know, it was a well-executed one. And for sure, the highlight of my career so far."