Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes said it’s “very much game on” for sixth in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship after the Enstone-based F1 squad’s double podium in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Making the most of the wet conditions and playing its cards carefully with an extended opening stint, Alpine benefitted hugely from a mid-race red flag at Interlagos.
Upon the restart, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly found themselves in first and third, finishing second and third by the time the chequered flag fell.
33 points in one race have vaulted Alpine to sixth in the Constructors’ standings from ninth and if the team can hold onto that position for the rest of the campaign, it could earn a reported extra $50 million in prize money.
“Obviously, for me it’s a great result for the team,” Oakes told select media including Motorsport Week on Sunday.
“I think, obviously, us in Enstone and Viry, it’s a big result after the last couple of years, or even the beginning of this year, so I’m happy for them.”
After a torrid season that has seen Alpine rooted to the bottom three of the Constructors’ standings for the majority of the campaign, Alpine suddenly finds itself ahead of not only Sauber, but now Williams, RB and Haas.
With three rounds remaining in the campaign, Alpine has 49 points in sixth, Haas has 46 points in seventh and RB has a tally of 44 points.
Alpine must ‘keep our feet on the ground’ amid F1 title fight, says Oakes
Oakes said it’s “very much game on” between the three outfits after Alpine’s fairytale race at Interlagos, but acknowledged the team must be “humble.”
Reflecting on the result, Oakes said “I think sweet is the right word, it is a real big result today.
“I was thinking this earlier, you’ve got to enjoy the moment, but also be humble because there’s still quite a few races left, isn’t there?
“I think more for the team as a whole, beginning of the season, they’ve got a lot of mud slung at them, I guess you could say, or a bit of stick. I think you can see how much it means to them.”
The 2024 F1 season will conclude with a triple header across Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Oakes was coy when delivering his verdict on what venue would suit Alpine’s car best.
“Let’s see,” he said. “I think it’s exciting the races left, and I think we should be able to have a good go at those tracks.
“One thing that’s true in F1, though, is you just know whenever you think it’s easy, it gets really tough, so we’re sort of just going to keep our feet on the ground.”
READ MORE – Esteban Ocon: F1 Brazil GP podium ‘reward’ for ‘difficult’ years at Alpine
