Esteban Ocon said second in the Formula 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos was a “reward” for five years of “difficult moments” at Alpine.
Ocon qualified an impressive fourth in the wet Sunday morning session, putting him in a great position for points in the race.
Alpine gambled long on its first stint with the Intermediate tyres and it paid off for Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who started in 13th.
A mid-race red flag after the majority of the field pitted granted Alpine a free tyre change and when the race restarted, the duo was running first and third.
Ocon eventually fell to second behind race winner Max Verstappen, but with three rounds left at Alpine before a switch to Haas, the Frenchman said “f that’s the reward, then I’m very happy to call it that.
“It’s been five years of good moments, more difficult moments of course, but I’m extremely happy and proud of me and Pierre, to be honest.”
Ocon and Gasly, friends growing up through karting turned rivals ran side-by-side on the cooldown lap in what was a poignant moment.
“A lot of flashbacks came back to my memories when we were racing in the wet in karts when we were young, even on the snow with the slick tyres,” Ocon reflected.
“We were both racing together waiting for the podium or the win to come and today, it tastes a bit like that.
“A beautiful story from where we come from and that one will for sure forever stay.”
Second and third is an incredible result for Alpine, a team that entered the Sao Paulo GP ninth in the Constructors’ standings.
The team’s first double podium in 11 years has elevated it to sixth in the Constructors’ standings, from 16 points to 49.
Esteban Ocon reflects on ‘dream’ race for Alpine
“I’m not sure that this is a reality or still a dream, but I smell champagne, so I think it is reality,” Ocon said.
“Who would have thought, first of all, that we were going to qualify 4th?
“We were very, very quick as soon as these conditions [arrived].
“It really levels out the field and it feels great to be just able to fight with other cars, to fight with the guys at the front as well.
“It shows that we still got it and when there is an opportunity, we are always there to be able to take it.
[Leading the race] was a special moment, I was pulling away from Max in that first restart.
“It was going super well and unfortunately, at the end, the reality check came back and Max was still better than us.
“But yeah, it feels extremely great and even greater now because we’ve had a difficult couple of races lately where things don’t really work the way we want for us.
“But it clearly shows that we still got it when it’s not all about the car and it’s also about driving.”
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