Alpine’s Esteban Ocon is pleased with “a good recovery drive” to finish eighth at 2023 Belgian Grand Prix.
Ocon has failed to finish in the top ten at the last three Grands Prix – including retirements at Silverstone and Hungaroring, but recovered from 14th on the grid to finish eighth with a two-stop strategy and late overtakes on Yuki Tsunoda and Lance Stroll.
Reflecting upon his eighth-placed finish, Ocon commented: “It feels good to be back in the points here in Spa after a few tough weeks where we’ve finished outside the points due to circumstances out of our control.”
The Frenchman went on to add that he thought that he had delivered “a good recovery drive” courtesy of Alpine’s “well-executed” race strategy, which allowed him to make “fun overtakes along the way too,” as he picked his Lap 38 move on Tsunoda round the outside of Les Combes as a favourite.
Ocon also took a moment to pay tribute to Team Principal, Otmar Szafnauer, Sporting Director – Alan Permane and Chief Technical Officer, Pat Fry who has left to join Williams, as the trio all left the team upon conclusion of the race in a behind-the-scenes shakeup at Alpine.
Acknowleding the three departing members of the team, Ocon said: “Finally, I’d like to wish Otmar, Alan and Pat all the best in the future and I know we all thank them for their important contributions to the team.”
Szafnauer meanwhile applauded Ocon for producing “a very good job” to make up six positions with “a string of clean and decisive overtakes.”
“Frustraing” Race
Pierre Gasly meanwhile finished 11th in what he described as “a frustrating” race after he got “very unlucky” at the start to get stuck up Eau Rouge behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri – who had severe damage from a first-corner collision with Carlos Sainz.
That particular moment allowed several cars to pass him and left him with a “difficult” task to play catch-up in an otherwise “fun” race, although he felt that his Alpine was lacking power which he hopes that he can recover in time for Zandvoort after the summer break.
Gasly like Ocon paid tribute to Szafnauer, Permane and Fry as he concluded: “Finally, I wish Otmar, Alan and Pat the very best for their future and a big thanks for all the moments with them during this season.”
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