Alpine introduced a heavily modified floor in Singapore, but knew that bumpy street tracks wouldn’t always maximize profits.
An early debut at least allowed the team to learn about the update and make the most of it at Suzuka, a track with high-speed corners that was expected to bring definite benefits.
With Ocon finishing fourth, Alpine’s best finish of the season, and teammate Fernando Alonso finishing seventh after losing to Sebastian Vettel at the checkered flag, Alpine is seven points clear of McLaren after four races into the F1 World Constructors’ Rankings. regained 4th place. remaining.
“I think it was only a matter of time before we could really show what the car was capable of.”
“We were able to do that overall this weekend, we were fast in all conditions.
“It was amazing. It was a pure pleasure to drive that car in qualifying and the race yesterday.
Ocon had a busy race and spent most of it Dodge Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedeswhile trying to manage his intermediate tire.
“It was really hard,” he said. “In that race I was looking more behind than ahead.
“We knew it would be difficult to keep Mercedes, but we did it and I’m very, very happy.
“From the initial conditions it looked like there were no points, but in the end I think it was a good afternoon for us.”
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A522, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13
Photo credit: Sam Bloxham / motorsport images
After the team’s strong qualifying performance at Suzuka saw Ocon fifth on the grid and Alonso seventh on the grid, the Spanish driver continued on as he did throughout the season, citing the Belgian Grand Prix as his previous best point. He said the machine felt good.
“I think this and Spa,” he said when asked by Autosport if the updated car was the best of the year.
“In terms of performance, Spa and Suzuka were our best weekends so far. We have to see what is behind this result.
“The car felt great all weekend, so I don’t know if it’s the floor we introduced in Singapore, but it was fine.
Speaking about his fight with McLaren, he said: But I think it will be very tight until Abu Dhabi. “
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ocon-alpine-f1-car-upgrade-made-japanese-gp-pure-pleasure/10383940/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=RSS-ALL&utm_term=News&utm_content=uk Alpine F1 car upgrade made Japanese GP ‘pure joy’
