Alpine re-energised after Brazil as P6 fight heats up

Pierre Gasly says Alpine are “pumped up” after the team's double podium finish at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix as the team targets holding on to sixth place in the constructors’ championship.

Alpine languished in ninth place in the standings but secured a stunning and unexpected double podium finish in the rain-hit race at Interlagos.

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The result, which featured Esteban Ocon in second and Gasly third, lifted Alpine up to sixth place in the championship, opening a slender three-point buffer over Haas.

RB are just a further two points behind Haas, meaning the three teams are split by just five points heading into Formula 1’s final trio of grands prix.

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“Obviously it was an incredible weekend in Brazil,” Gasly said. “The emotions, the feeling just going back to the factory – I spent quite a lot of time at the factory last week, seeing all the smiles and the energy of all the people working in the team. They’re all very pumped up.

“I think it’s great motivation especially going into next year. We definitely needed that. Obviously focused on the job ahead and I always have this nice feeling about the last races.”

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Gasly’s sentiments were echoed by Ocon, who is entering the final three events of his Alpine career, ahead of his switch to Haas from 2025.

“I think it's been a very nice one because it spiced things up for our end of season,” Ocon said, referencing his podium. “Now that we can be, you know, fighting near the other teams in the constructors’ championship. So it's going to be a big fight, which is a lot more entertaining for us. And yeah, it brings up, you know, fun and joy for all the people around the factory.”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 20: Esteban Ocon of Alpine F1 talks to the media in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 20, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) — Alpine's double podium in Brazil has handed the squad a vital boost as they try to hold onto P6 in the championship

Alpine’s headline result was its double podium but Gasly scored seventh in the dry-weather Sprint Race – which was the team’s highest classification prior to the grand prix – having also captured a top 10 finish in Mexico City.

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Gasly also ran competitively at the United States Grand Prix, the race at which Alpine introduced a large upgrade package, and he has been buoyed by the recent performances of the A524.

“I think it’s great to see that since we brought the upgrades, we’ve been able to fight for Q3,” Gasly said. “In the last three races we’ve been able to fight for the points, obviously get that amazing result in Brazil in specific conditions. I’m definitely more optimistic going into that final triple header that we’re going to be in the fight. It’s actually a very important fight for us that we are into now, sixth in the constructors’ fighting with [RB] and Haas.”