Esteban Ocon is another name of the moment after he finished the Monaco Grand Prix on the podium. The Frenchman was ‘on a cloud’ after making just his third visit to a Formula 1 rostrum. Despite a late spell of rain and pressure from both Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton, Ocon pulled off a great performance and finished P3. Although this rare feat was only achieved because of the unique Monaco layout, the Alpine driver’s fine driving in mixed difficult conditions calls for a celebration. And the overjoyed Ocon did as if he won it, along with Fernando Alonso in P2, and the race winner Max Verstappen. Looking at Ocon celebrating with Alonso, one would almost forget about their rivalry in 2022.

When Fernando Alonso returned to F1 in 2021, Esteban Ocon was happy to have a ‘legend’ as his teammate. But it’s F1, and teammates rarely remain on good terms. So the pair soon turned into rivals as they engaged in fierce wheel-to-wheel battles for two seasons in 2021 and 2022. On the other hand, Alonso had grown frustrated with reliability issues, and the team’s favoritism to Ocon, and eventually announced his move to Aston Martin for the 2023 season. However, with the Spaniard choosing the exit door, the relationship between the Alpine duo further deteriorated and reached its breaking point in the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint. However, keeping the bad blood aside, Ocon showered praises on his former teammate recalling the champagne bath between the two in the Principality just six days ago

Recently, in a meeting with the Spanish press in Montmeló, as quoted by Marca.com, Ocon said, “We are both close, not excessively, but we compete on the track… I know you like to talk about it, but I can only say that he is having a fantastic season. I have great respect for him, I always have, he is at the top of this sport and since he came back in the last two years, he continues to show that he is one of the greats of this sport. He is doing incredibly well and I am happy for him. what he’s doing, hopefully I can join him soon and be in the fight with him.” [Translated via Google]

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While Ocon made it to the podium after a great struggle, his former teammate has consistently made it to the podium in the 2023 season. 

Fernando Alonso addresses chances of winning at home

Many doubted Fernando Alonso’s decision to join Aston Martin. Because it meant moving from a team currently competing for fourth in the constructors’ championship to one that’s ranked ninth. However, the Silverstone-based team has silenced all those doubts with its performance, and who wouldn’t love an underdog climbing to the top? So far in the season, the Spaniard finished five of the six races on the podium- the only driver who made it to the podium consistently other than the Red Bulls. As a result, many are asking when will he finally break the drought, and make it to the top step of the podium. 

Although Monaco provided Alonso with his best opportunity against Verstappen, a strategy error cost him a potential victory. Nevertheless, Spain would be a perfect location for the Spaniard to redeem himself. But when asked about his chances of victory in circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the Aston Martin driver said, “I don’t think realistically we can fight for the victory, let’s be clear,” he said. “Red Bull have been very dominant all season long and I don’t see any reason why, in Barcelona, they should not aim for a one-two. But let’s see what we can do.”

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The 2023 Spanish Grand Prix will take place on 3rd June at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.