In a spectacular display of camaraderie and competitiveness at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos, the Alpine team celebrated a historic achievement as Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly delivered a double podium finish. Finishing second and third, respectively, behind the relentless Max Verstappen, the result marks a significant milestone for Alpine, as it is their first double podium since rebranding from Renault in 2017.
The impact of this achievement extends beyond just the glory of the podium. Alpine's remarkable performance catapulted them from ninth to sixth in the constructors' championship standings. This advancement holds considerable financial implications, potentially awarding Alpine an extra $50 million in prize money—a substantial boost for the team as it continues its quest to solidify its position among the elite in Formula 1.
A Journey Forged in Karting
Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly’s shared history stretches back to the formative days of karting. The duo's enduring bond has been built over years of fierce competition on the karting tracks, where they honed their skills and developed a mutual respect and camaraderie that transcends the occasional on-track rivalry. On the storied Interlagos podium, their emotions overflowed as they reflected on the journey that led them to this triumphant moment.
"You remember [in karting] when we were driving in the rain?" Ocon reminisced, highlighting the adversity they faced in their early racing days. "Even in the snow! Same in the days when we were the only ones showing up at the track. But it's all worth it," Gasly added, underscoring how those challenging experiences laid the foundation for their current successes.
The Beauty of the Moment
The significance of their achievement isn’t lost on either driver. For Gasly, sharing this moment with Ocon on the podium is a culmination of years of hard work and determination. "This is a moment of a lifetime," he said, capturing the essence of their unlikely journey. "As a kid, from where we came from, to end up as teammates was against all odds... but [also] to end up on the same podium on a season like this year. Because no-one thought we could have put a podium. In the way we did it just incredible."
The palpable sense of achievement was echoed by Ocon, who remarked on the enduring spirit of their partnership. "It paid off and I tell you when we did that formation, on the in-lap, that was the first thing that came into my mind. What a beautiful story that is."
A Personal Story of Success
While the world sees the podium and the trophies, Ocon and Gasly treasure the personal narrative that brought them there—a tale of perseverance, friendship, and shared ambitions. "For our story, nobody knows our story, it's something that is personal to us," Gasly expressed, highlighting the unique path that brought them to this shared moment of triumph.
Indeed, the gravity of the day was not just in the podium finish itself, but in what it represented: two childhood competitors and friends achieving greatness on one of the sport's biggest stages. "But regardless of everything that happened, on a day like today it makes it very special and it's a beautiful story," Gasly concluded.
As Alpine looks to leverage this triumph into continued success, the combined efforts of Ocon and Gasly at Interlagos serve as a testament to their individual talents and their potent partnership—a synergy that could propel Alpine to new heights in the highly competitive world of Formula 1 racing.