Mid-season review: Alpine, steady improvement
What to remember from the first part of the Alpine team's season? Currently fifth, the team can rely on a complementary and efficient duo. With a better car, it could hope for much better.
We’re almost starting from scratch with mostly the same people. Just like Aston Martin, Renault has decided to change its name to become Alpine, a sports brand that has seen numerous successes in rallying. After a busy off-season, with the departure of Cyril Abiteboul last January, the French team has chosen to bring back the two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso, to partner with Esteban Ocon. The team is counting on Alonso’s experience to help Ocon shine.
New name, new livery. What is the Alpine finally worth in 2021? Although the two team drivers try to push the limits of the single-seater, the team is however lagging behind its direct competitors. If it ultimately ranks fifth in the constructors’ standings thanks in particular to the extraordinary performances in Hungary, Alpine (77 points) remains far behind McLaren (163 points), its rival. However, it can still rely on its efficient duo.
A complementary duo
After two years away from F1, Alonso is making his return to the paddock. Within the team with which he won two world titles in 2005 and 2006, the driver once again wants to demonstrate all his experience and talent. His return generated a lot of buzz before the start of the season. Some even wondered if he still had the level and especially if the partnership between the two drivers would work. After eleven races, the result is rather satisfying. The duo complements each other well.
The difficult beginnings of the Spaniard at the wheel of his Alpine proved his detractors right. His single-seater behaved badly and he was not comfortable inside. With a new power steering, the driver managed to find his rhythm. The changes made allowed him to score valuable points. He finally caught up with his teammate in the drivers’ standings with 38 points each, and 39 points for Ocon. These complementary results show effective work on the part of the drivers. They even allow the team to outperform Aston Martin and AlphaTauri.
The rise to gold for Ocon
The French team does not only rely on Fernando Alonso to perform this year. Esteban Ocon is having a remarkable season. His podium at Sakhir in 2020 gave him confidence after a fluctuating season. He now proves race after race that he deserves his place in F1. The Normand driver shone brilliantly in Hungary. Leading after three laps, the Frenchman was never threatened by his opponents, and Sebastian Vettel couldn’t catch up with him. Ocon eventually finished first after this crazy race, becoming the 111th different Grand Prix winner in Formula 1 history. A French victory reminiscent of Pierre Gasly’s at Monza in 2020.
Next to Alonso, he enjoys himself and quickly learns from the experience of the latter. Proof that the two drivers get along well, they do not need team instructions to help each other. Ocon owes part of his victory to Alonso. The Spaniard did an exceptional job by delaying Hamilton’s comeback. For ten laps, his ingenuity allowed him to hold the seven-time world champion.
The teammates’ match
Whether in races or in qualifying sessions, drivers do not let themselves be dominated so easily. Alonso makes use of his experience in qualifying sessions. He regularly places himself in Q3 and even achieved a spectacular comeback during the sprint race at Silverstone by finishing seventh. He slightly outperforms his teammate (6-5).
In racing, it’s youth talking. Esteban Ocon does not weaken and is not intimidated by the talent of his teammate. Same result as in qualifying, but this time in favor of the Frenchman (6-5). It is worth noting that the Norman driver finished in the points six times despite his two retirements.
The constant progress of Alpine can provide hope for the rest of the season. Although it may be a bit late to catch up with Ferrari and McLaren, it will take more than just surpassing themselves to maintain the pace against their competitors. Aston Martin promises to come back stronger after the misfortune of the last races. The French team has found its duo. Ocon and Alonso get along very well and are determined to keep their team at least in fifth place.
