Ocon: “We are able to fight”

Esteban Ocon was smiling at the end of the first day of driving at the Portuguese Grand Prix. After a complicated start to the season in the French clan, the fault of an A521 less efficient than its predecessor compared to the competition, the Norman had the pleasure of climbing into 6th position in Free Practice 2, just behind his teammate Fernando Alonso. 

The two pilots Alpine were a little less than 4/10th of the reference established by the Mercedes de Lewis Hamilton. Despite his visible enthusiasm, Ocon did not want to put the cart before the horse.

« These results are obviously likely to make us optimistic, commented the Frenchman. Fernando is also very fast, so there are reasons to be happy today. We are able to fight. 

Considering the times, I expect an intense fight in the middle of the grid, it will be close. I think the track still represents a big challenge for everyone. The level of grip has increased compared to last year but it is a track which is really not easy to master. We're pretty shaken up ». 

Ocon also validated the aerodynamic developments that have appeared on the A521 since the Imola meeting but he tempered the gains noted by saying: “It's only Friday”. 

Same realistic caution from Alonso who has never driven competitively on the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. The Spaniard does not expect to see the hierarchy shaken up in qualifying. 

« We were comfortable from the first lap, so we didn't change the settings much., reported the double world champion, author of a discreet 14th time in EL1, 4 places behind Ocon. 

I think the positions on the grid will not vary greatly compared to Bahrain or Imola. We may have approached this Friday in a different way compared to other teams. Fingers crossed that we maintain this level of performance ». 

Alpine placed only one car in Q3 in the first two qualifying sessions of the 2021 season, Alonso in Bahrain, Ocon in Imola.