Esteban Ocon is hopeful that his impressive podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix will not be a one-time occurrence for Alpine in 2023.
He believes that the result has given everyone at the team “more hunger” for the rest of the campaign. Alpine had a challenging start to the season, with only minor points in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, a collision between Ocon and teammate Pierre Gasly in Australia, and a chaotic weekend in Azerbaijan.
However, the team managed to bounce back and respond to some strong comments from CEO Laurent Rossi with consecutive double points finishes in Miami and Monaco.
Ocon’s outstanding qualifying and race day performances in Monaco led to his podium finish. Reflecting on the Monaco weekend, Ocon said, “It’s been pretty wild, for sure! It was great to celebrate with my team, we were all partying.”
Alpine’s 100-Race Plan: Staying on Track
Alpine’s recent upturn in form, which has placed them fifth in the constructors’ standings, comes as they aim to stick to their 100-race plan.
This plan was set out by Rossi towards the end of 2021, with the ultimate goal of reaching the front of the F1 grid. Ocon, who gave Alpine their first podium since Qatar in 2021, added, “All the hard work has paid off, it shows we can be there and it gives everyone more hunger to keep that going.
Ocon trusts the plan of Laurent Rossi and Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo, stating, “I’m fully onboard with the 100 races target plan that they have.” He acknowledges that the team needs to stay focused, as there is still a long way to go and ambitious targets to achieve.
After the fantastic weekend in Monaco, Ocon is looking forward to the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix and carrying the positive momentum alongside everyone in the team.
It’s always thrilling to see a team bounce back from adversity and prove their potential on the track. Alpine’s recent success serves as a reminder that hard work, determination, and a clear vision can lead to great achievements.
I am eager to see how Alpine continues to grow and evolve in the coming races, and I hope to see more podium finishes for Ocon and the team.
