The opening rounds of the season in Bahrain and Jeddah have highlighted the challenges faced by Alpine, with the team struggling at the back of the field with the slowest car. Despite this, there were glimpses of progress, particularly in the Jeddah race where Esteban Ocon managed to finish 12th after starting from 17th on the grid. However, Ocon was quick to dismiss any notion of significant improvement, attributing his performance to “opportunistic” circumstances rather than a genuine step forward for Alpine.
Ocon emphasized that the race in Jeddah was more “opportunistic” than indicative of real progress for Alpine. He acknowledged that they were able to navigate their way through the field, but ultimately lacked the pace to compete with other cars. Despite the slight improvement in grid position, Ocon was realistic about Alpine’s overall performance, recognizing the need for significant improvements in the upcoming races.
According to Ocon, the race in Jeddah highlighted areas that Alpine can work on to enhance their performance. While there were some improvements in comparison to Bahrain, Ocon admitted that there is still a lot to be done. He emphasized the importance of continuous development and expressed his commitment to working closely with the team to find solutions for their performance shortcomings.
Ocon admitted that Alpine still lacks the necessary pace to compete with other cars on a regular basis. Despite making some progress, Ocon acknowledged that in normal circumstances, Alpine is still behind their competitors. The team faces a significant challenge in closing the performance gap and improving their overall competitiveness in the upcoming races.
Ocon also commented on Kevin Magnussen’s blocking tactics during the race in Jeddah. While Magnussen’s actions may have created opportunities for Ocon to move up the field, Ocon remained neutral on the matter, stating that tough racing is part of the sport. He emphasized that the decision on whether Magnussen’s tactics were excessive lies with the FIA, and not with the drivers.
Alpine’s performance in the opening rounds of the season has highlighted the challenges faced by the team in terms of competitiveness and pace. While there were signs of progress, particularly in the race in Jeddah, Ocon’s assessment indicates that there is still a long way to go for Alpine to be able to compete consistently with other teams. The team’s focus on identifying and addressing areas for improvement will be crucial in shaping their performance in the upcoming races.