Alpine Communications slows down Ocon and Gasly / Formula 1

Fourth race, fourth desire for Alpine. The French racing team also leaves Suzuka without points and in 15th and 16th place. In addition to the lack of speed, the contact between the two cars is also a cause of discomfort this time.

Immediately after the restart after the red flag (Albon and Ricciardo collided immediately after the start of turn 3), the two Alpines collide at the first corner: Gasly from the right, Ocon from the left, the two Frenchmen touch. each one – and they all destroy their cars.

Ocon immediately says, angry: “Pierre hit me from the side. Let me know if everything is OK.” The Frenchman explains later: “I had a bit of damage at the beginning. But I don’t think it took that long overall.”

His teammate and partner Gasly later said: “I was put in a race incident and I had a lot of damage to the bottom part, which cost me almost 30 points to reduce the power and therefore the time. From then on it was difficult to drive.”

Of all people, the two teammates interact. Not good for the French team, which had already put in a disappointing drive at the start of the season. In addition, Ocon and Gasly are not best friends after all, but rather rivals since childhood.

Team boss Bruno Famin summarizes: “Our race was affected by the damage both cars suffered at the start of the second lap. Both cars lost a lot of slack, which cost us performance and lap time. “Still, we lack speed and we need to continue to improve in all areas and make improvements to the car.”

The French factory team is at the bottom of Formula 1, and sometimes has worse times on track than last year.

Ocon also gives a disappointing conclusion about Sunday’s performance, but is hopeful for Saturday: “In terms of qualifying we have improved, but in terms of the race we are where we were in Bahrain.” So back there.

The radio exchange between Ocon and his team shows how difficult it was for Alpine in the Suzuka race: the Frenchman receives an order from his race engineer: “Esteban, we have to push. Please give me pressure!” Ocon responds in surprise: “I’m already pressuring him, what are you talking about?”

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round

outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0