This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, analytics and third party advertising purposes as described in our Privacy and Data Processing Policy. You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, or further manage your preferences. To opt-out of sharing with third parties information related to these technologies, select "Manage Settings" or submit a Do Not Sell My Personal Information request.
Esteban Ocon's 150th Formula 1 race was meant to be a celebration of his career. Instead, it became a highlight of his struggles with Alpine. Throughout the weekend in Baku, Ocon grappled with reliability issues that severely hampered his performance. Limited running time led to a disappointing 20th place in Saturday’s qualifying session, leaving him with a tough task ahead.
Pierre Gasly’s weekend was marred by additional complications. After a qualifying session disqualification due to a breach of the fuel flow limit, Gasly was relegated to the back of the grid. To make matters worse, Ocon had to take on a new Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), Turbocharger, and Motor Generator Unit-H (MGU-H), pushing him beyond his season's allowance and further compromising his race prospects.
The race unfolded as expected given the team's pre-race challenges. Ocon, starting from the pit lane, and Gasly, starting from the back, faced an uphill battle. Gasly, opting for a strategy that saw him begin on hard tires and then switch to softs for the final lap, finished 12th. Despite his efforts and a commendable drive, the gamble on strategy and the lack of overall pace meant he couldn’t make up significant ground.
Ocon's race was equally challenging. Running from the pit lane, he finished in 15th place, struggling to make substantial progress through the field. The weekend’s issues culminated in a result that did little to lift the team's spirits or standings.
Esteban started from Pit Lane on Used Hards, finished P15: Pit Stop on Lap 49 for New Softs. Fastest Lap: 1min 48.831secs.
Pierre started from P18 on New Hards, finished P12: Pit Stop on Lap 50 for New Softs. Fastest Lap: 1min 48.018secs.
The drivers and team principal expressed their disappointment and resolve to turn things around.
Esteban Ocon: “It has been a disappointing weekend and a tricky race for us today here in Baku. We now want to turn the page quickly and our focus must be towards the next race, which comes in a few days’ time in Singapore. As a team, we will regroup and concentrate on maximising all available running time to build the performance and be race ready and get a chance to fight in the points.”
Pierre Gasly: “On one side, I would say that was one of my best races of the season from a driving point of view. It was a good start from eighteenth on the grid and we were on the limit every corner, every lap and really extracted the maximum from the car. There was not much more we could have done, finishing twelfth at the chequered flag. On the other side, though, simply, we were just too slow this weekend. We took a gamble on strategy, running long in the hope that there might be some late action. It came too late in the end so we could not benefit from it. We made good steps forward from Friday but, clearly, it was a challenging weekend for the team. We will get on top of it and we need to come back with a better weekend performance in Singapore.”
Oliver Oaks, Team Principal: “As a team we leave Baku frustrated; a weekend we need to quickly put behind us. From where we started, with one car at the back and one car in the Pit Lane, it was always going to be tough to progress through the field. We ran both cars long on the Hard tyres anticipating a late Safety Car or Red Flag, which did not pay off in the end, even with the VSC towards the latter stage of the race. Ultimately, we did not have the reliability to compete this weekend and it’s something we need to analyse and quickly address, especially as we’ve dropped a place in the Championship standings. We’ll look to bounce back in Singapore, where we need to re-find some of the performance and form we had around the summer break.”
