🏎️ Alpine's Podium Finish

In this week’s email:

• Alpine's Podium Finish 🏆

• Race Highlights: São Paulo Grand Prix 🇧🇷

• A New Era for Alpine Racing 👀

• A Challenging Year with Mercedes 😓

• Verstappen's Remarkable Win 🍾

Alpine's Podium Finish: A Season-Changing Moment 🏆

The 2024 Formula One season has been a challenging one for Alpine, but everything changed during the rain-soaked São Paulo GP. Drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly joined Max Verstappen on the podium. Securing a remarkable second and third-place finish that brought the team a total of 33 points—more than they had earned all season.

🏁 Race Highlights:

Strategic Decisions: Ocon’s composed driving and the team's strategic tire management allowed them to take the lead after a red flag incident.

Points Boost: This performance not only lifted Alpine to sixth place in the constructors' championship but could also mean an additional $40 million in prize money.

💬 Reflections from the Drivers:

Ocon expressed his emotional connection to the victory, reminiscing about their early days racing go-karts together. “Today tastes a bit like that,” he said, highlighting the significance of their achievement.

Gasly echoed these sentiments. Celebrating their journey as teammates and the collective effort that led to this historic result.

🌟 A New Hope for Alpine:

The podium finish in Brazil has revitalized Alpine’s season, providing a much-needed boost and reigniting hopes for the remaining races.

Race Highlights from the São Paulo GP 🇧🇷

Esteban Ocon found himself in a critical position at the front of the pack during a pivotal moment of the race. As a safety car period followed Carlos Sainz's crash. As the safety car pulled in, Max Verstappen surged ahead. Marking a key turning point in both the race and the championship battle.

🏁 Championship Implications:

With his victory, Verstappen is poised to secure his fourth world championship at the upcoming Las Vegas GP. Meanwhile, Lando Norris started on pole and faced challenges throughout the race. Ultimately finishing in sixth place. Norris acknowledged the unpredictability of racing: “The wet starts are just a bit of a gamble.”

🔄 Strategy and Timing:

Norris and George Russell's decision to pit during a virtual safety car period proved costly when a red flag shortly after allowed Verstappen and the Alpine drivers to benefit from a tire change without losing position. Norris reflected, “It’s not talent, it’s just luck.”

💔 Missed Opportunities:

While Verstappen maintained a commanding performance. Norris struggled with mistakes. Including a lock-up that cost him positions. McLaren’s principal, Andrea Stella, noted that the team didn’t provide a competitive enough car for overtaking.

Despite the setbacks, Norris remains determined: “We’ll keep fighting till the end.”

📊 Looking Ahead:

With just three races left in the season, Norris sits 62 points behind Verstappen, highlighting the importance of strategy and execution in the remaining events. As the season progresses, both drivers will continue to navigate the delicate balance of risk and reward in their championship fight.

A New Era for Alpine Racing 👀

Alpine has appointed Oliver Oakes as its new team principal, following a trend of engineering-focused leaders in Formula One. At just 36, Oakes is the second-youngest team principal in F1 history and brings a unique perspective shaped by his diverse experiences in motorsport.

🌟 Background and Experience:

• Karting Champion: Oakes started karting at age 4 and won the CIK World Championship in 2005, competing against future stars like Valtteri Bottas.

• Transition to Team Management: After a lackluster racing career, Oakes transitioned into driver coaching before founding Hitech Grand Prix in 2015, where he successfully managed teams across various junior series.

🔧 Vision for Alpine:

Oakes aims to revitalize Alpine, which is currently facing challenges in the midfield, having slumped to ninth in the standings. He acknowledges the team's storied history and is determined to leverage that legacy to push forward. “We’re not in a situation where we want to be today,” he stated, emphasizing the need for hard work and focus.

🤝 Support and Collaboration:

Oakes values the guidance of Alpine’s executive advisors and recognizes that success in F1 is a collective effort. “It’s not a one-man show,” he noted, highlighting the importance of alignment within the team.

🚀 Embracing the F1 Challenge:

Stepping into the political landscape of F1, Oakes is prepared for the complexities of team dynamics and strategy. Despite his youth, he has developed resilience and is ready to establish his credibility in the sport.

🔮 Looking Ahead:

As Alpine embarks on a new chapter, Oakes’ leadership and fresh perspective will be crucial in navigating the challenges ahead. His goal is to build on the team’s heritage while driving it toward future success.

A Challenging Year with Mercedes 😓

Lewis Hamilton mentioned, "It’s been a very turbulent year." Despite some early-season successes, including a win at Silverstone. Mercedes has struggled to maintain a competitive pace. Now sitting comfortably in P4 in the constructors' standings.

Frustration with Performance

After a lackluster weekend, Hamilton expressed his frustration, stating, "No, it can't come soon enough," when asked about the end of the season. He described the race as "crap" and acknowledged the car's ongoing issues, highlighting a significant gap in performance compared to his teammate, George Russell, who managed to finish fourth.

🔍 Ongoing Challenges

Hamilton's recent performances have been marred by poor qualifying results, having started 14th or lower in four of the last seven races. He feels a sense of accountability but remains uncertain about the car's persistent struggles.

🎉 A Bright Spot Amidst the Struggles

The only highlight for Hamilton this weekend was driving Ayrton Senna's 1990 McLaren MP4/5, an experience he cherished amid the ongoing challenges with his current car.

📆 Looking to the Future

With three races left before he transitions to Ferrari next year, Hamilton's focus is on finishing strong. He expressed hope for a better performance if the team can address the car's issues, saying, "If I can finish well... hopefully we get a better result."

As the season winds down, Hamilton is looking forward to a fresh start and the holidays.

Verstappen's Remarkable Win at Brazilian GP 🍾

Max Verstappen's victory at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix from 17th on the grid marks a significant achievement. Pacing him equal fourth (or arguably third) for the lowest starting positions from which a Formula 1 race has been won.

Notable Context:

• Previous Best: Verstappen's previous best from a low grid was 14th at the 2022 Belgian GP, where he rapidly took the lead.

• Historic Wins: With this latest win, Verstappen surpasses the grid positions from which F1 legends Lewis Hamilton (14th at the 2018 German GP) and Michael Schumacher (16th at the 1995 Belgian GP) have won.

Top Wins from Low Grid Positions:

1. 17th - John Watson (1982 Detroit GP) - Dominated the inaugural Detroit street race.

2. 17th - Kimi Raikkonen (2005 Japanese GP) - Passed Giancarlo Fisichella on the last lap to secure victory.

3. 17th - Max Verstappen (2024 Brazilian GP) - Started from 17th officially (16th in car count due to a non-starter) and quickly moved up the ranks, ultimately taking the lead after strategic pit stops.

4. 18th - Rubens Barrichello (2000 German GP) - Secured his first win after a series of fortunate events, including a safety car intervention.

5. 19th - Bill Vukovich (1954 Indianapolis 500) - Noted for his remarkable drive in a unique context.

6. 22nd - John Watson (1983 USA West GP) - Claimed victory after starting from 22nd in a chaotic race.

Verstappen's win not only highlights his skill but also reflects the unpredictable nature of F1 racing. Making this victory one for the history books.