Alpine not in his place in the ranking for Esteban Ocon

At what rank can we position Alpine on the grid? With the new technical regulations which were to redistribute the cards, it is still difficult to estimate the potential of the French team this season. Generally performing well in qualifying, the A522s often lose pace during the race. “ As I was able to say, it's difficult to say, Explain Esteban Ocon about the potential ofAlpine, we are in a very close group. When we qualify in the top 10, we have the pace in qualifying and then everything changes. » 

After the first 7 Grands Prix, the French team must for the moment be content with 6th place in the manufacturers' standings behind Alfa Romeo. With 19 points behind McLaren, the best team behind the three permanent Red Bull, Ferrari et Mercedes, the factoryenstone may have regrets. “ We probably missed opportunities to score more points with both cars. So we're probably a bit further than we should be in terms of position in the constructors' championship. »

19 points behind McLaren for Alpine

While the Normandy driver has so far managed to finish in the top 10 on 5 occasions, Fernando Alonso only has 10 points on the clock. The Spaniard was forced to retire in Saudi Arabia and at Imola. For 2 Grands Prix, Alpine managed to correct the situation and without Esteban Ocon's penalty in Monaco, the French team would have signed its second double finish in the points in a row. Before the Azerbaijani round, the 25-year-old driver is confident about his chances of getting a good place. “ We have good expectations here, there are always opportunities to be seized every year. We arrive with a car improved so it gives us confidence. »  

That's it for FP1! 🏁

Fernando P5 ⏱ – 1:46.571
Esteban P10 ⏱ – 1.46.917#AzerbaijanGP 🇦🇿 pic.twitter.com/xAMR65ur5S

—BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) June 10, 2022

After the big effort made in Barcelona to bring about improvements, Alpine would therefore arrive with corrections on his car in Baku. “ The goal is always to get closer to the top but we still have a way to go before we are able to do so. », displays Esteban Ocon. In Azerbaijan, the French team mainly focused on braking. “ You need good confidence on the brakes, especially as we saw a lot of mistakes on the brakes in Monaco and here last year to attack the entry into the first corner after such a long straight », Underlines the Habs. After the first practice session, both Alpine seem to be in the mix with the 5th and 10th times of Alonso and Ocon in FP1.

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