via Getty
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 12: Esteban Ocon of France and Alpine F1 Team and Fernando Alonso of Spain and Alpine F1 Team stand on the grid during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 12, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images)
via Getty
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 12: Esteban Ocon of France and Alpine F1 Team and Fernando Alonso of Spain and Alpine F1 Team stand on the grid during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 12, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images)
Alpine drivers Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon put on a nerve-wracking display in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
It’s always a stressful situation for a team principal if both divers race each other. But that wasn’t enough to bother Alpine F1 team principal, Otmar Szafnauer.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Saudi Arabia Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – March 25, 2022 Alpine’s Esteban Ocon during practice as smoke is seen in the background REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Otmar had mixed feelings about the whole situation. Although he might’ve been able to look at the bright side of it all.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Otmar’s mixed feelings
Both the Alpines did fairly commendable in the qualifying, with Esteban Ocon finishing at P5 and Fernando Alonso at P7.
Although, the qualifying results could not translate into points for both the cars we did; however, see an excellent battle between the two, until it lasted!
READ MORE – Renault CEO Forewarns Potent Alpine F1 Showing in 2022 With Exciting Revamped Engine
Speaking to the press, Otmar said, “This race leaves us with mixed feelings. Overall, it is a positive assessment, which confirms our current competitiveness, at the level of the front of the peloton which follows the two best teams. Sixth place for Esteban is a great result.”
via Getty
Fernando Alonso of Spain and Alpine F1 Team looks on from the grid during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
But was a little disappointed for Alonso, “On the other hand, we are a little disappointed not to have been able to climb our two cars into the top 10, Fernando having unfortunately retired after having shone all evening.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Alpine is optimistic
The American had a positive outlook on the whole situation, “Our car clearly has the potential to score big points, as our two drivers demonstrated,”
Alpine must’ve not yielded the best result at Jeddah, but that clearly hasn’t gotten them down. Speaking further, Otmar said, “We are happy to have let them have an intense but fair fight, because we are here to ensure that both drivers get the most out of the car. Everyone in the team will be working hard when we return to Enstone and Viry, with the long-awaited return of Formula 1 to Melbourne in two weeks in sight.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Interesting to see Otmar Szafnauer did not opposed to the idea of both the drivers racing and competing against each other.
And with both drivers showing what they’re capable of in Jeddah, let’s hope their cars can deliver as well. This should make for a spectacular viewing in two weeks’ time at the Australian Grand Prix.
