SHERIDAN, WYOMING – August 26, 2024 – The 2024 Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort delivered a mix of results for the Alpine team. While Pierre Gasly showcased impressive skill and secured valuable points with a ninth-place finish, Esteban Ocon faced a challenging race, ultimately finishing in fifteenth.
Gasly's Strategic Brilliance
Starting from P9, Gasly executed a brilliant start, overtaking both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll on the first turn.This strategic move secured him a favorable track position, allowing him to manage his tires effectively and capitalize on opportunities for overtaking after his pit stop. Gasly's confidence in the car and his adept maneuvering resulted in a well-deserved two points for the team.
Reflecting on his performance, Gasly stated, "It was such a fun race today and to come away with some points is always a nice feeling. I’m really happy with the progress we made as a team since Friday and, in the end, we managed to turn things around and come away as the best team after the top four."
Ocon's Uphill Battle
Unfortunately, Ocon's race proved to be more challenging. Starting from P15 due to a difficult qualifying session, he struggled to make significant progress on a track known for its limited overtaking opportunities. Despite his best efforts,Ocon was unable to improve his position and crossed the finish line in P15.
Ocon acknowledged the difficulties, saying, "It’s a weekend for us to learn from as I came here with different expectations. Overall, a tricky race day and a tough weekend in general."
Team Principal's Perspective
Team Principal Oliver Oakes expressed satisfaction with the team's overall performance, highlighting their progress since a challenging Friday practice session. He praised the strategic decisions made during the race, including extending the first stint and allowing the drivers to push towards the end.
Oakes also acknowledged the challenges faced by Ocon, stating, "Esteban’s day was a little compromised from the start after a difficult Qualifying yesterday, and he also ultimately finished where he started on a track that’s notoriously hard to overtake."
Looking Ahead to Monza
With the double-header format of the F1 calendar, the team has little time to dwell on the mixed results of Zandvoort.They now shift their focus to the upcoming Monza Grand Prix, anticipating a potentially trickier race. However, the team remains determined to build on their recent progress and continue their pursuit of success in the highly competitive world of Formula 1 racing.