Alpine introduced the heavily revised floorpan in Singapore, knowing that any gain wouldn’t necessarily be maximized on the bumpy street track.
The early debut at least allowed the team to learn about the update and get the most out of it at Suzuka, a track with the kind of fast corners where it was supposed to provide a clear advantage.
With Ocon taking fourth, Alpine’s best result of the season, and team-mate Fernando Alonso seventh after losing to Sebastian Vettel at the checkered flag, Alpine retook fourth place in the F1 Constructors’ World Championship from McLaren. of seven points with four runs. remaining.
“I think it was only a matter of time before we could really show what the car was capable of,” said Ocon when asked by Autosport about the benefits of the new floor.
“We were able to do it this weekend in general – we were quick in all conditions.
“It was great. It was pure pleasure to drive this car in qualifying yesterday and in the race. A few things to review, but we marked, which was important.
Ocon had a busy race, spending most of it fending off Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes, while trying to manage his intermediate tyres.
“It was really difficult,” he said. “I was looking more behind than ahead in this race.
“We knew it would be difficult to keep the Mercs behind. But we did, so very, very happy.
“It didn’t look like any point from the start with the conditions, but in the end I think it’s a good afternoon for us.”
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A522, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Speaking after the team’s strong performance in qualifying at Suzuka, when Ocon finished fifth on the grid and Alonso took seventh, the Spanish driver said the car was as good as it had been all season, citing the Belgian GP as a previous highlight.
“I think this one and Spa,” he said when asked by Autosport if the updated car was the best of the year. “You could say that the two circuits are quite similar in terms of efficiency.
“Spa and Suzuka were our best weekends so far in terms of performance. We have to see what is behind this result.
“The car felt good all weekend, so I don’t know if it’s the floor we introduced in Singapore or not, but we had no problems. We seem competitive.
Regarding the fight with McLaren, he said: “I think Singapore stood out because it was a big loss of points there. But I think it’s going to be very, very close until Abu Dhabi.”
Alpine introduced the heavily revised floorpan in Singapore, knowing that any gain wouldn’t necessarily be maximized on the bumpy street track.
The early debut at least allowed the team to learn about the update and get the most out of it at Suzuka, a track with the kind of fast corners where it was supposed to provide a clear advantage.
With Ocon taking fourth, Alpine’s best result of the season, and team-mate Fernando Alonso seventh after losing to Sebastian Vettel at the checkered flag, Alpine retook fourth place in the F1 Constructors’ World Championship from McLaren. of seven points with four runs. remaining.
“I think it was only a matter of time before we could really show what the car was capable of,” said Ocon when asked by Autosport about the benefits of the new floor.
“We were able to do it this weekend in general – we were quick in all conditions.
“It was great. It was pure pleasure to drive this car in qualifying yesterday and in the race. A few things to review, but we marked, which was important.
Ocon had a busy race, spending most of it fending off Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes, while trying to manage his intermediate tyres.
“It was really difficult,” he said. “I was looking more behind than ahead in this race.
“We knew it would be difficult to keep the Mercs behind. But we did, so very, very happy.
“It didn’t look like any point from the start with the conditions, but in the end I think it’s a good afternoon for us.”
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A522, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Speaking after the team’s strong performance in qualifying at Suzuka, when Ocon finished fifth on the grid and Alonso took seventh, the Spanish driver said the car was as good as it had been all season, citing the Belgian GP as a previous highlight.
“I think this one and Spa,” he said when asked by Autosport if the updated car was the best of the year. “You could say that the two circuits are quite similar in terms of efficiency.
“Spa and Suzuka were our best weekends so far in terms of performance. We have to see what is behind this result.
“The car felt good all weekend, so I don’t know if it’s the floor we introduced in Singapore or not, but we had no problems. We seem competitive.
Regarding the fight with McLaren, he said: “I think Singapore stood out because it was a big loss of points there. But I think it’s going to be very, very close until Abu Dhabi.”