Ocon and Gasly open up after podium: 'We've been through so much'
F1 News
After a tumultuous season for Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, the team thrived in the uncertain conditions in Brazil and stormed to a suprise double podium. After the race, the French duo reflected on their joy at Sao Paulo and their long history of racing each other throughout chldhood.
It had been a tough season for Alpine up until the most recent race. The team was ninth in the Constructors standings with only 16 points between the drivers. In just one race, they managed to more than double their points total and rise to sixth in the standings.
Gasly acknowledged how the team had struggled throughout the season but still worked hard to achieve the fantastic result at Brazil. "I think we can be very proud of the way we've pushed the team forward. It's been tough, obviously, this season, but we've always tried to push the team in the right direction to never give up. And on a day like today, even when the car has misbehaved for the majority of the season, everyone tried to put the A game, and it was just an historical day for the team."
The pair reminisce on their childhood
After the race in Brazil, Gasly was reminded of times spent driving together in slippy conditions as children. "It's a very personal relationship between Esteban and myself. But we've been going through so much. And as he mentioned, all these times we've had, like over winter, minus 5 degrees outside, we were the only ones showing up at the go-kart track, going out in the rain, in the snow, slick tyres, 9, 10, 11 years old. And we've really practiced these conditions. And on a day like today, I can tell you this actually made the difference, all that practice."
"We've had our stories at times, but it's been incredible to do that last formation lap. A lot of flashbacks came back to my memories, when we were racing on the wet in go-karts, when we were young, even in the snow with the slick tyres, we were both racing together and waiting for the podium or the win to come. Beautiful story from where we come from. And, yeah, that one will for sure forever stay engraved."
While Gasly will continue to drive for Alpine in the 2025 season, Ocon will join Haas alongside Oliver Bearman. As his time at Alpine comes to an end, Ocon reflected on the bittersweet departure, "It's not signed off yet. There are more races to go, three more. But yeah, if that's the reward, then I'm very happy to call it that this is the reward. It's been five years of good moments, more difficult moments, of course."
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