Esteban Ocon claims Alpine took a ‘step forward’ with Belgian GP upgrades amidst major leadership shake-up

Esteban Ocon was happy with the stability of the Alpine A523 at the Belgian GP.

Esteban Ocon claims Alpine took a ‘step forward’ with Belgian GP upgrades amidst major leadership shake-up

Esteban Ocon (image via RacingNews365)

The Alpine F1 team announced the departure of Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer and Sporting Director Alan Permane at the Belgian GP. The Enstone-based team is going under leadership restructuring to improve its prospects. However, Esteban Ocon has expressed his delight over the latest set of upgrades at the Belgian GP despite being overshadowed by the management shake-up.

Ocon was glad to see that the French team has extracted the performance of all upgrades so far this season. The 26-year-old claimed Alpine had made a big stride with A523 at Spa-Francorchamps. The French driver credited this progress to all the team members back at Enstone and even the Powerunit facility at Viry. He said, “Clearly, I dedicate that [Sunday result] to Viry and Enstone, because it’s really encouraging that what we bring to the track really makes us step forward.”

YouTube video

Esteban Ocon was happy with the performance of his car at the Belgian circuit. The French team has improved significantly with its pace in medium-to-high-speed corners. The 26-year-old seemed satisfied with the pace of the Alpine A523. Ocon explained, “Clearly, much more stability in the car, much more grip. It was very noticeable.”

FS Video

Discover: Five times Red Bull replaced a driver in the middle of an F1 season

Esteban Ocon wants more consistent F1 upgrades in 2023

Esteban Ocon on the Monaco GP podium (image via MotorsportWeek)
Esteban Ocon on the Monaco GP podium (image via MotorsportWeek)

The French driver believed the French team had the same success rate with upgrades as in 2022. Although, Esteban Ocon urged the Enstone-based team to bring in regular upgrades to improve its prospects. The 26-year-old stated, “It’s always been a strength of ours. They just need to keep [arriving] more consistently, and I think we will be OK.”

Alpine has fallen behind the likes of Aston Martin and McLaren this season. As such, the Enstone-based team is undergoing a major overhaul that could secure a more successful future for the Renault works team. The French team even received a €200 Million injection after a group of investors, including Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds acquired a 24% equity stake in the team.

Thus, Esteban Ocon insisted that Alpine has stepped forward this season. The Enstone-based team has brought in big upgrades in recent rounds that have shown better results for the French squad. Although, Ocon remains adamant that the Renault works team must work on its consistency of new upgrades to fight at the front of the grid truly.

In case you missed it: