The return ofEsteban Ocon in Formula 1 as a starter final yr, after a marketing campaign as a Mercedes reserve driver, had been tough, the French being largely dominated by his teammate Daniel Ricciardo. This season, nevertheless, at Alpine, the stability of energy could be very totally different in opposition to the ghost. Fernando Alonso : Ocon took the benefit in qualifying and in the race throughout the final two Grands Prix, with a lead of half a second on one lap in Imola after which 9 tenths in Portugal. He scored eight factors, in opposition to 5 for Alonso.
Asked about the work completed by this driver who has lengthy been half of the Mercedes Young Driver Program, Toto Wolff replied: “Very good. He really impresses me with the quality of his races and qualifying. It's just a matter of consolidating that position.”
On the Alpine facet, the outcomes are encouraging: Ocon and Alonso positioned seventh and eighth in the Portuguese Grand Prix and had been even in the prime 5 in Free Practice 2 in Barcelona.
“I think it's all this research, all these little things that we find session after session, day after day”, detailed the Normand Thursday as to the origin of this achieve in efficiency. “Fernando and I are on the same page when it comes to feedback. So it's really easy for the team to analyze what we're saying, because we're saying the same thing. In short, it's working really well right now. , and that's good news. “
It stays to be seen whether or not Ocon may run for a seat at Mercedes for the 2022 season, the place it can't be dominated out that the star model will separate from Valtteri Bottas to attraction to 1 of his younger wolves, like George russell.
“Esteban is also one of the pilots who are linked to us, while being a full Alpine pilot”, underlines Toto Wolff. “We have a very good relationship with Alpine. Valtteri is the rider to date, Lewis is the rider to date, and next year is next year.” The Austrian concludes: “It is far too early to discuss this at this point.”
