150th Grand Prix in F1, the 100th with Alpine: a mixed bag for Ocon
Esteban Ocon started his 150th Formula 1 Grand Prix this Friday in Baku, the 100th behind the wheel of an Alpine. Before joining Haas in 2025, the Frenchman seems torn between pride and bitterness.
If Esteban Ocon still has room to reach the level of Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton and their 396 and 348 race starts before Baku, the French driver will cross the symbolic threshold of 150 participations in a Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend. It is also an opportunity to celebrate his 100th race with Alpine.
1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ Grand Prix 🏁
This weekend @OconEsteban is set to take part in his 150th GP weekend 🙌 pic.twitter.com/TDTJQXLo9t
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) September 10, 2024
« It’s an impressive number, I didn’t see time passing by! When we take pleasure in what we do, the years seem to pass by faster » stated Esteban Ocon on the sidelines of the weekend. « I saw that the team made a special post on social media, I hadn’t realized it was the number I was reaching this weekend, it’s great to reach this milestone. »
Finish on a high note
Ocon doesn’t hide it. He harbors some regrets with Alpine, especially the fact that he was unable to compete with the best consistently. « One hundred races with the team, we have accomplished a lot of things, even if some things have a bittersweet taste with what we have achieved, we have had some outstanding moments but we could have done better » testifies the Frenchman. The (very) good performances of the number 31 can be summed up in three podiums, during his victory in Hungary in 2021 or his 2nd and 3rd places respectively in Bahrain (in 2020 with Renault) and in Monaco (2023).
Before switching seats next season, the Normand, who will celebrate his 28th birthday next Tuesday, hopes to finish well with the team. “I am ready to give everything to maximize our potential,” he says before starting the first of his last eight races under the Alpine colors in Baku.
Close to the top 5 in France
With this 150th weekend in Formula 1, Esteban Ocon is getting closer to the top of the ranking of French drivers who have competed in the most races. Jean Alesi and Alain Prost, who have a total of 202 and 199 races, remain at a distance. But the native of Évreux could climb onto the podium next season. He has his sights set on Romain Grosjean (179), Jacques Laffite (176), and Olivier Panis (158). Pierre Gasly is close behind with only 3 fewer starts (146 before Baku).
With seven other Grand Prix this season and the 24 planned for next season, Ocon could end 2025 with 181 participations in F1. In the meantime, he hopes to finish his story with the French team before taking on a new interesting challenge with Haas. “Talking to several teams, I felt it would be my best option for the future,” highlighted the Frenchman.
