Esteban Ocon has said more moments like his podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix last year is “a natural objective” for Alpine ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
The Enstone-based squad dropped from fourth to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship last term despite both Ocon and team-mate Pierre Gasly scoring a podium finish.
Alpine’s struggles originated from a lack of consistency with a car concept that had reached a ceiling meant which saw the side fall short of its 2022 points haul by 53 points.
It will be Ocon’s fifth year with the team having joined under the Renault moniker, and the Frenchman hopes the longstanding relationship will hold him in good stead for 2024.
“Having that continuity is what we have looked for and it’s great to keep the work going, maintain a routine and take value in the relationships we have built together,” he said.
“Those things will only make us stronger in the high moments and, probably, more importantly, the low ones. I’m looking forward to keeping that going and we aim to achieve great things together this season.
“Of course, [a] moment like our podium in Monaco last season is a great reward for everyone in the team and having more performances like that is a natural objective.”
Ocon, who took his only F1 win to date with the team in Hungary in 2021, has said he hopes to “enjoy the season and really have no regrets by the end of it”.
“We have to extract the maximum potential from what we have in our hands every time we are on track. And that is what I want to achieve,” he continued.
“I am an experienced driver and I feel that everything is in place to do just that. Our collective hard work counts day in day out, whether it’s on-track or back at the factories in our preparation. I’m certainly ready for the challenge.”
Ocon also revealed that he has been playing video game Gran Turismo “to stay sharp and stay focused” during the winter period.
“It’s been a great tool to keep my eye in, maintain good reactions with wheel-to-wheel racing and just having that racing edge,” he added.
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