Esteban Ocon puts in a solid race, in the image of his season

Between the duel for the title of vice world champion and the threat from McLaren for fourth place in the constructors’ championship, the stakes were high this weekend in Abu Dhabi. Alpine arrived at the Yas Marina circuit with a 19-point lead over McLaren; a comfortable lead but not allowing for much margin over these three days. During the first free practice sessions, the Alpine cars proved to be faster than the McLarens. However, it was a surprise to see Norris ahead of both French team cars during qualifying. Nevertheless, the two French cars still managed to place in the top 10, with Esteban Ocon starting in eighth position.

Mission accomplished for Esteban.

During the race, Esteban Ocon will have been solid from start to finish. Without any major obstacles, he converts his eighth position in qualifying into seventh place. Scoring six valuable points this Sunday, the French driver ends the season with a total of 92 points! A record broken for the Normandy native. His previous record, dating back to 2017, was 87 points.

Ocon finishes eighth in the drivers’ championship, a position befitting the rigor and consistency he has shown throughout the season. When asked, with a smile on his face, the French driver expressed his great satisfaction with his results.

I feel good, it has been a crazy race, mission accomplished: we have achieved all the goals we set for ourselves during this year. I am satisfied with how this season is ending. One more lap and we could have had Lando, it was intense until the end. It is a good end to the season, we are happy and I hope we can continue this progress we are making.

Performance and consistency

Indeed, his results are improving! In the 2021 championship, he finished 11th and scored only 74 points. If in 2021 he had won his first Formula 1 victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the 2022 season seems to be more consistent and the performances more constant. This is at least what the Alpine driver seems to be asserting.

« More consistency, better overall performance this season, more than 5th place, more top 10 finishes I think. We didn’t make it to the podium this year and that’s the only thing we missed, but it’s because of other circumstances. We will continue to push and hope that next year we will achieve more! »

Laurent Rossi, CEO of Alpine, shares his enthusiasm: “Congratulations to the entire team for its fourth place in the constructors’ championship after a highly contested season. We knew that the campaign would be challenging in many ways,” he declared.

In 2023, it is alongside Pierre Gasly that Esteban Ocon will compete in the championship. A 100% French, 100% Normand team that, we hope, will shine!