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Esteban Ocon Has Special Words of Appreciation for New Teammate Fernando Alonso

Published 01/24/2021, 6:20 AM EST

The 2021 F1 season could be an eventful year for the newly rebranded Alpine F1 team. Turning over from Renault, both Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon have certain expectations to fulfill.

The team’s cars looked good last year, with Daniel Ricciardo grabbing a couple of podiums and Ocon chipping in with one himself. However, it will be a new pairing for the team, with Ricciardo having moved to McLaren for the upcoming campaign.

Speaking in a brief interview, Ocon praised his new teammate Alonso. In the Frenchman’s eyes, the veteran two-time F1 champion still looks younger beyond his age attributing to his fitness!

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Fernando Alonso will be a tough opponent, says teammate Ocon

Ocon stated, “Fernando can be with the music from the start. [All of that] will help him get ready.” (translated via Google Translate)

“Even if Fernando wasn’t at the start for two years, he has a lot of experience and he’s stayed fit. He still looks like he’s 20.”

While the racing audience will focus their attention on Alonso’s return, it is a big year for Ocon as well. The Sakhir GP podium finisher needs to switch to a higher gear and ensure consistent results to help the team.

Ocon continued, “After working with the team for a year, I know what to expect. And the team knows what I need. So I’ll be much better prepared for that is very clear. Fernando will be a tough opponent.”

Alpine F1 team could collectively be the surprise package in the 2021 season

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Things have been changing in and around the team on all fronts, whether drivers, cars, or management personnel. Recently, Alpine recruited Davide Brivio and Laurent Rossi in key positions and they will expect to make structural changes that positively impact the team’s performance.

On the track, the experience of Alonso and the spirit of Ocon will look to guide the team to consistent top-10 finishes. As shown last year, they may just attain a few more podiums and be in race-winning positions at times too.

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Therefore, Alpine’s fans would be equally excited to usher in a fresh era. For all we know, they may just surprise us in the 23-race long campaign.

MORE – ‘Win More Podiums’ – Alpine Boss Sets Key F1 Target for the 2021 Season

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Hailing from Bengaluru, Bhargav is an F1 and NASCAR author for EssentiallySports. He is a huge fan of Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. Bhargav also has an MBA in Sports Management from the Symbiosis School of Sports Sciences, Pune.

Esteban Ocon Has Special Words of Appreciation for New Teammate Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso will be a tough opponent, says teammate Ocon

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Alpine F1 team could collectively be the surprise package in the 2021 season