F1 News
Ocon satisfied at emulating Hamilton's Alonso feat
Esteban Ocon has admitted his satisfaction at becoming the fourth Formula 1 driver to beat Fernando Alonso over the course of a season after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Ocon entered the Yas Marina finale on 85 points to Alonso's 81 as Alpine looked to secure fourth place in the Constructors' Championship.
The Frenchman held an advantage over Alonso all weekend and outqualified his two-time World Champion teammate, before enjoying a stronger race.
Ocon would go onto finish eighth – after Alonso suffered yet another 2022 retirement thanks to a water leak – and also beat his teammate in the standings, finishing 11 points ahead in eighth place to Alonso's ninth.
In doing this, Ocon became just the fourth teammate to ever finish ahead of Alonso, an achievement he was proud of as the Spaniard departs for Aston Martin in 2023.
Teammates to have beaten Fernando Alonso
| Year | Driver | Team | Points | Championship position | Alonso points | Alonso position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Tarso Marques | Minardi | 0 | 22nd | 0 | 23rd |
| 2007 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren | 109 | 2nd | 109 | 2nd |
| 2015 | Jenson Button | McLaren | 16 | 16th | 11 | 17th |
| 2022 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 92 | 8th | 81 | 9th |
Ocon on beating Alonso
"I've had my issues too, but it for sure feels good," he explained to media, including TheFOXposts.Com.
"He's a very, very fast driver and I obviously had to up my game as much as I could.
"To finish in front of him is good satisfaction.
"Obviously the only thing that I missed this year in the end is a podium, but that was for different circumstances that we didn't get one.
"Hopefully we can get some of those next year."
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Ocon on nearly beating Norris
In the closing stages, Ocon began reeling in Lando Norris for what would become sixth place after Lewis Hamilton's late retirement, but the Alpine driver was not that worried knowing fourth in the Constructors' was secure.
"I'm very pleased with the result that we got," he explained.
"Obviously, one more lap, and I'd probably have got Lando – it was a very close race all the way, but that doesn't matter.
"All the targets that we set ourselves are accomplished, we finished fourth in the Constructors' Championship.
"Thank God for that, it's also my best season in Formula 1 in terms of points."
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