Alpine’s 15-Race F1 Streak Comes to an End at US Grand Prix Courtesy of Alonso & Ocon

Alpine F1 team are probably the most unpredictable F1 unit right now. Although they are P5 in the championship with 104 points, no one can predict their competitiveness over the weekend. Even their more experienced driver, Fernando Alonso had earlier accepted that he wasn’t confident going into the Bahrain/Imola races.

However, Alpine had a streak of 15 races in the sport and was the team that had scored points in every race since Imola, with either driver finishing in the points. The streak comprises them winning an unexpected Hungarian GP with Ocon in P1 (Fernando in P4) and strong race results in Russia, Baku, and Netherlands.

The unfortunate end to a stunning streak

If not for Esteban Ocon’s contact with the rear end of Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi, and the issues with Alonso’s rear wing, the results from US GP could’ve been different. However, the last moment fiasco led to the team losing their impressive streak. The last time the Alpine racing team, since their debut in 2021, could not score a point was in the opening race in Bahrain. While Alonso sustained a DNF, Esteban finished in P13 and a lap down.

But post that, they both scored in 15 races, with Alonso’s total reaching 58 points and Ocon’s 46. In US, that streak ended at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas when both cars retired from the race. Ocon retired because of a mechanical problem, and Alonso retired after he damaged the rear wing of his car. Both drivers were clearly unhappy with the result. The result came on the back of Alonso taking a new engine on the weekend.

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Alpine F1 driver Fernando Alonso holds a positive outlook

As reported by GPFans, the Spanish driver mentioned the team is ready to fight at the top of the sport. The 40-YO Alonso praised Alpine for doing a fantastic job this season.

“The team is doing fantastically well. Every weekend we are optimizing things. Some weekends we look a little less competitive, like Monza, both cars in the points, some weekends we look more competitive, like Zandvoort, or in Sochi, and we finished top six.” said Alonso. These words from the same veteran who complained about rules after US Grand Prix 2021 are sign of optimism that lead the Alpine team.

Turkish Grand Prix – Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – October 7, 2021, Alpine’s Fernando Alonso with team members. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

“There is something we are doing good on weekends, especially Sundays, to score so many points, so I am very proud of the progress. We are working towards a very strong team and looking towards next year.” added Fernando.

The team would hope to have a stronger car in the 2022 season and cap off the 2021 season with P5. Do you see that happening? Help us know in the comments section below.

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