Esteban Ocon: “It is very satisfying to bounce back in this manner and show our potential”

Esteban Ocon admitted to being satisfied by the way the BWT Alpine F1 Team have bounced back from the disappointment of their double retirement from last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix this weekend in Japan.

The Frenchman will start the eighteenth round of the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season from fifth on the grid, the best of the rest behind Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari, and he felt it was a ‘great result’ for the Enstone-based outfit.

Ocon, who will have a new team-mate at Alpine in 2023 after the announcement of Pierre Gasly earlier in the day, feels the team have a great opportunity to score a lot of points on Sunday afternoon as they look to fight back against the McLaren F1 Team in the battle for fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

“I’m delighted with today and how the weekend has unfolded so far,” said Ocon.  “Fifth place is a great result for us, just behind the Red Bulls and the Ferraris.

“After the disappointment of last weekend, it is very satisfying to bounce back in this manner and show our potential. The upgrades are working well, and our car suits this circuit, so it’s a job well done from everyone trackside and at both factories.

“We are in a solid position to score points with both cars tomorrow so we are fully focused on finishing our Japanese Grand Prix weekend strongly.”

“I think we might be even more competitive in wet conditions” – Fernando Alonso

Team-mate Fernando Alonso also enjoyed Qualifying at the Suzuka International Racing Course and will line-up seventh on the grid, although the Spaniard is hoping for variable weather conditions on Sunday.

Alonso believes he will have nothing to lose on Sunday if the forecasted rain arrives compared to some of the drivers ahead of him, including the Red Bull and Ferrari drivers, so it could open opportunities to fight for a top five finish or even a podium position.

 “I’m pleased to be starting in seventh tomorrow,” said Alonso.  “I think we might be even more competitive in wet conditions, so I’m hoping for the weather to be a bit mixed tomorrow.

“If it’s a chaotic race, then we have a lot less to lose than the cars in front of us who are battling for the Championships. The car has felt great all weekend and I’m surprised about how close all of the teams are this weekend, with only a few tenths of a second separating a number of cars.

“I’m positive heading into tomorrow’s race. If there is some rain, we will stay focused and there is a possibility to be in the top five by the chequered flag.”

Fernando Alonso will start seventh in Japan but is aiming for the top five on Sunday – Credit: Octane Photographic Ltd