Esteban Ocon scores his first point despite some regrets

Starting 12th on the grid, Esteban Ocon capitalized on an eventful race to score his first point of the season at Suzuka. It was an encouraging result for the Frenchman, even if the race unfolded in a way that suggests he has higher ambitions.

Esteban Ocon quickly set a competitive pace, getting involved in some exciting battles in the midfield. From the opening laps, the French driver managed to gain positions and close in on faster groups. “It was a good first part of the race; I was trying to keep up with Max Verstappen,” he said, a sign of his renewed confidence in the car.

His progress, however, was thwarted by the safety car's intervention, which he considered ill-timed. “Three laps earlier or later, and it changes the whole race,” he lamented. This poor timing cost him two positions, which he was only partially able to regain. Stuck behind Liam Lawson at the end of the race, Ocon saw any chance of battling with Pierre Gasly or Verstappen slip away. “I would have liked to see if we could keep up with them, so I'm a bit disappointed,” he admits. 

A mixed weekend for the team

Despite this frustration, the Frenchman takes away some positives. Alpine seemed capable of maximizing its potential, which points to more encouraging prospects for the future. “We managed to get the most out of the car,” he emphasizes, even if the overall result remains mixed, particularly after the incident involving his teammate.

The upcoming break therefore comes at just the right time. Ocon stresses the need to thoroughly analyze this start to the season and make technical upgrades. “Try to come back stronger after the break, maybe bring some new features to the car, and then try to recharge, to regain energy.”

The goal is clear: to return more competitive and capitalize on the lessons learned from the first races. This result finally gets his season off the ground, but above all, it serves as a foundation for aiming higher once the season resumes.