Ocon registered the primary point-scoring end of the yr for the French squad after ending tenth in final Sunday’s race.
The outcome marked the top of a point-less run that stretched to the 2023 Las Vegas GP for Alpine, which has struggled this yr on account of an chubby automobile that has did not be aggressive.
Miami was the primary grand prix the place the crew lastly met the minimal weight restrict because of the introduction of an improve bundle that Alpine mentioned was price round two-tenths per lap.
Ocon was Positive concerning the step ahead contemplating the place Alpine began the season, however conceded a tenth place was nothing to put in writing residence about.
“We do not wish to be leaping round and celebrating too arduous,” the Frenchman insisted.
“Clearly, it is solely a high 10. However contemplating the place we had been a few races in the past in Bahrain, nineteenth and twentieth, I believe we are able to take the Positive out of this race.
Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
“The infant steps that we’re doing for the time being and that clearly feels good as a result of the crew saved motivated making an attempt to grasp what’s going on with our tempo, and it hasn’t been the smoothest weekend, I might say.
“However it’s two races that we have come near the factors: eleventh in Shanghai, tenth immediately – we’re contained in the factors, and positively feels good to return out of this weekend with some reward.”
Ocon and team-mate Pierre Gasly had loved their strongest qualifying efficiency of the yr in Miami, lining up thirteenth and twelfth on the grid respectively.
The Frenchman feels Alpine continues to be stronger in qualifying trim, and reckons Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg may have threatened his place, the German recovering from 14th to eleventh after making his second cease below safety-car circumstances.
“I believe we’re nonetheless higher in qualifying than we’re within the race,” Ocon mentioned. “I believe immediately in the event you go away 10 extra laps in all probability Nico would have been very shut and combating with us once more.
“I needed to combat my approach via in that race. It was insane what number of strikes I needed to do and the truth that we’re battling the straightline pace as properly did not assist an excessive amount of.
“So not the right lead as much as the race from Saturday onwards, however nonetheless, we give you some reward.”
Its first level of the yr means Alpine is now eighth within the standings forward of Sauber and Williams, who’re but to attain.
