Esteban Ocon calls 2024 Brazilian GP podium the perfect end to Alpine chapter

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Esteban Ocon described the double-podium finish for Alpine at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix as the perfect way to end his chapter with the French outfit.

Ocon's rivalry with his Alpine team-mate at the time, Pierre Gasly, traces back to their childhood karting days in France, where a close friendship turned into an intense personal competition that continued in Formula 1.

While they mostly managed to keep things professional during their time as team-mates at the French outfit in 2023 and 2024, there were a handful of on-track incidents such as collisions at the Australian and Monaco Grands Prix.

However, despite any underlying tension prior to Ocon leaving for Haas in 2025, the pair ended their partnership with a surprise double podium at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix.

"It's a good closing chapter, let's say, to the Alpine story," Ocon told F1 in a video alongside his Haas team-mate Ollie Bearman. "There was no better way to close it than that. And yes, we've lived so many things with Pierre together and to be on the top of the motorsport world... I mean, it's not a win, but it's a podium together.

"It's incredibly special with probably one of the slowest cars on the grid at the time. The day before, on the dry, I was P17, and then it rained. We woke up at 5:00 in the morning. The weather was playing a lot and I qualified fourth and I was leading the race for 15 laps or 20 laps, which was unexpected to say the least.

Esteban Ocon, Alpine, Pierre Gasly, Alpine