Alpine Achieves Historic Double Podium Finish at Interlagos
On an intense racing weekend in Brazil, Alpine's Formula 1 team made waves with a spectacular double podium finish at Interlagos. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly delivered outstanding performances, securing second and third places behind the race winner, Max Verstappen. This remarkable result not only marks a significant milestone for the team but also propels Alpine from ninth to sixth in the constructors' championship standings.
This achievement was a momentous occasion for Alpine, representing the first double podium finish since the team's reincarnation from Renault in 2017. Beyond points and podium placements, the implications of their success extend to promising financial gains, potentially bringing Alpine an additional $50 million in prize money. Such a boost injects new possibilities and resources for the team, further establishing their growing prominence in the competitive world of Formula 1 racing.
A Journey from Karting to Formula 1 Glory
The partnership between Ocon and Gasly has deep roots, tracing back to their days racing together on karting tracks. From the early days of handling slippery circuits to performing in adverse weather conditions—"You remember [in karting] when we were driving in the rain?" Ocon recalled—the pair has spent years honing their skills, building a connection that resonates beyond the track.
Gasly reminisces about their shared resilience: "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." These formative experiences have culminated in the duo standing side by side on the prestigious Interlagos podium, a testament to their enduring friendship and competitive spirit.
Overcome with emotions, both Ocon and Gasly embraced the moment, reflecting on their journey. "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," Ocon expressed, signaling how this podium finish fulfilled lifelong dreams.
Gasly echoed the sentiment: "This is a moment of a lifetime." The duo’s path from childhood karting races to starring as teammates in one of the sport’s most celebrated circuits has been described as beating the odds. "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," Gasly shared with visible pride.
The Emotional Impact
For Ocon and Gasly, the significance of this achievement extends beyond the racing world. "For our story, nobody knows our story, it's something that is personal to us," remarked Gasly. Their personal narrative of persistence and friendship adds a rich, human dimension to an already historic event in Alpine's racing chronicles.
"But regardless of everything that happened, on a day like today it makes it very special and it's a beautiful story," Gasly concluded, encapsulating the culmination of years of dedication and friendship that transcended into triumph on the grand stage at Interlagos.
Alpine's vibrant success at the Brazilian Grand Prix reverberates well beyond the immediate outcomes. It stands as a beacon of what's possible through teamwork, tenacity, and undeterred spirit, serving as an inspiring chapter not only for Ocon and Gasly but for all triumphant underdogs. As they climb the rankings and line up for future challenges, they carry the hopes of their journey, fans, and the proven promise that alpine spirits can soar.