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Both Alpine drivers, Gasly and Ocon, managed to secure points finishes, placing 9th and 10th respectively. This contributes valuable points to their overall constructor championship standing.
Pierre Gasly: “We can be very pleased as a team with our result today, with both cars finishing in the points for the first time this year. I had contact with Sergio at the start of the race after Turn 2 and lost a few positions. After that, we focused on fighting our way back. We made some good and opportunistic calls today, pitting early for Hards when the rest of the grid was still on Intermediates. In hindsight, we should have waited another lap, but it worked out well in the end, allowing for decent pace and gaining back positions we lost at the start. We tried to gain the maximum for the team today and wanted to attack Daniel for P8 at the end of the race by swapping positions. We can be very pleased with the points we scored and great teamwork by everyone today."
Despite the overall positve outcome, discontent arose due to a late team order asking Ocon to let Gasly pass. Ocon felt this was unfair and publicly criticized the decision, creating tension within the team.
Esteban Ocon: “I am happy for the team that we were able to score points with both cars today. We did a mega race starting from the back of the grid to make it into the points, and that is amazing for the team. The team had to fix the car on the grid before the race start and I am very grateful for the hard work they did. The energy management was difficult towards the end of the race, meaning I could not really get the battery to full potential. I had the instruction to let Pierre pass two laps to the end to catch Daniel who was ahead. I let Pierre past me and lost a place on the second to last lap. I did what was best for the team and respected the instruction I was given.”
Alpine have not had the best start to the season, not scoring at all in the first five events, but is now up to eighth in the constructors' championship with within two points of Haas aside.
