A Day to Remember: Alpine’s Double Podium Glory in São Paulo

Few moments in recent Formula One memory stand out quite like Alpine’s remarkable double podium at last year’s São Paulo Grand Prix. For everyone at Enstone and Viry, seeing both Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon standing side by side on the rostrum was the culmination of hard work, resilience, and flawless execution on one of the sport’s most unpredictable weekends.

Torrential rain turned the Autódromo José Carlos Pace into a perilous battlefield. The downpour was so relentless that qualifying had to be postponed until Sunday morning, forcing teams to adapt to an ever-changing track. The conditions were treacherous, yet both Alpine drivers displayed remarkable composure in the chaos.

The Early Struggles

Pierre Gasly had shown solid pace throughout the weekend, qualifying seventh for the Sprint and maintaining that position to the finish. However, Sunday’s early qualifying session proved a far greater challenge. On a drenched circuit that caught out even the most experienced drivers, Esteban Ocon—nicknamed “Oconzinho” in Brazil—delivered a stunning lap to secure a place on the second row, Alpine’s best grid position of the season at that stage. Gasly, meanwhile, struggled to find grip and was forced to start the Grand Prix from 13th.

From the Back to the Front

When the lights went out, both drivers came alive. Gasly surged through the field, climbing four places on the opening lap and reaching sixth by the time a Virtual Safety Car was deployed. Ocon, already in fourth, seized the moment as conditions worsened—making a decisive move for third and opting to stay out while others pitted for fresh intermediates.

The strategy paid off. As the race was neutralized by a Safety Car and later red-flagged, Ocon found himself leading, with Gasly up to third. When racing resumed, Ocon held the lead for 14 laps before settling into second, while Gasly continued his charge to finish third—an extraordinary gain of ten positions.

A Historic Finish

As the checkered flag waved, the two Frenchmen crossed the line just three seconds apart, delivering a stunning 35-point haul for the team. The Alpine garage erupted in celebration—mechanics, engineers, and team staff rushing to parc fermé to embrace their drivers after a display of near-perfect execution in brutal conditions.

“This result means so much for the whole team,” Gasly said afterward. “In these conditions, anything was possible, and we believed right until the end. We’ve all pushed to move the team forward and never give up—and today, it paid off. It’s a historic day and I’m incredibly proud of everyone who made it happen.”

Echoes of the Past

The São Paulo success marked Alpine’s first double podium since 2013, when Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean finished second and third in Korea. More significantly, it was the first time in over four decades that two French drivers had shared a podium for a French manufacturer—an achievement not seen since Alain Prost and René Arnoux finished 1–2 for Renault at the 1982 French Grand Prix.

For Alpine, it wasn’t just a race to remember—it was a statement of resilience, unity, and a glimpse of the team’s potential when everything comes together.