Ocon: « proud to drive a car in my country’s colors »
On Tuesday, the Alpine F1 Team unveiled the A521 single-seater which marks the French brand's arrival in Formula 1. Read the reactions of its drivers, Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso.
After several weeks of speculation about the livery that the Renault heiress will sport, the veil was lifted this Tuesday on the first Alpine F1 Team in history, with a single-seater in the colors of France and a predominant blue.
Ocon: I am expecting an even more performing car.
It was notably an opportunity for Esteban Ocon, French driver of the team to react in view of the upcoming season:
(English) As a French person, I am proud to drive a car in the colors of my country.
« The winter has been long and intense this year, the team has worked a lot to develop the race car. Renault made significant progress last year.
« Now with Alpine, we are even more ambitious, which brings me great motivation to put the team in the spotlight. The best way to do this is to be in the running for victories and podiums!
Questioned about the prospects for this new season, Ocon continues: “We have better coordination between the factory and the circuit.”
« Having regular discussions with my engineers, I expect a even more performant car, capable of being consistent on different types of tracks.
« I really appreciated being on the podium last year and I hope that we will capitalize on these good performances and make it a habit.
Alonso: « I have worked enormously to be ready »
Absent from the presentation, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso also reacted three and a half weeks before his return as a Renault driver.
(e) I am very happy and motivated to the idea of returning to Formula 1, and being part of the Alpine project. I have worked enormously to be ready behind the wheel for the upcoming season.
« We have a great team this year and we will try, Esteban and I, to give our best to continue the efforts of last year and achieve good results in a season that looks very competitive.
« I have very beautiful memories in blue and I hope to be able to create new ones.
» Everything will start again on Friday, March 12, with the beginning of pre-season testing in Bahrain, at the Sakhir circuit.
