Alpine disappointed with US Grand Prix qualifying results. Fernando Alonso reached the final and showed the ninth result, but due to a penalty he loses five places at the start. His teammate Esteban Ocon qualified eighteenth and explained that he was not feeling well in the car this weekend.
Fernando Alonso (9th): “Difficult session due to gusty winds – the car was difficult to drive, especially in fast corners. On the other hand, I showed the result and reached the final, which was our goal.
Unfortunately due to the penalty I will lose positions at the start – it would be great to start the race higher than from 14th place. Still, we are preparing for an interesting fight. Our goal is to finish in the top ten. I think we can earn points.”
Esteban Ocon (18th): “Difficult day. It is always difficult to come to terms with the fact that you are already out of the fight in the early part of qualifying, especially behind the wheel of a competitive car. Don’t forget I qualified fifth in the last stage in Japan.
Today there were difficult conditions on the track and to be honest I don’t feel like one with the car this weekend. There’s still work to be done to understand exactly what’s wrong, but I’m sure we’ll find the reasons. As for the race, we will do our best to get back in the points.”
Alan Permain, sports director: “Today is not quite our day – we are disappointed with the results of qualifying. Conditions were very difficult, especially in the fast first sector due to strong gusts of wind.
Unfortunately Esteban dropped out in the first part – he was uncomfortable in the car all weekend so we have to work to add. Fernando was quick in all sessions – he’s disappointed he didn’t qualify higher. Seventh place was quite achievable – just behind the riders of the top three teams.
Given the penalties, Esteban starts in seventeenth and Fernando in fourteenth. These are not quite our standard positions – there is a lot of work to earn points in the race. However, there are always opportunities to come back with strategy and we expect both drivers to have a good race and save this weekend.”
Source: F1 News
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