Alpine lets Alonso and Ocon fight: "You’ve got to let them race"

A notable moment in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon battling fiercely with each other for track position on the Jeddah circuit for several laps. Alpine's team management allowed it for a long time, only when the competition from behind gained seconds and came within DRS distance did the drivers receive team orders from team management. Otmar Szafnauer is happy with what he saw.

The Alpine team received a lot of criticism from analysts. According to them, the French racing team made a big mistake by letting Alonso and Ocon fight it out among themselves. The team's interest should always come first and that is to score as many points as possible and not to lose time when it is not necessary. Szafnauer doesn't quite agree.

Szafnauer also thinks show is important

"It was fine, it was clean. We told them in the beginning that we will allow them to race," says the Alpine team boss, although he is quick to add that of course it should not cost Alpine points. "hat’s exactly the type of thing we have to look at – when do we tell them to not start overtaking each other because it does cost you time?"

The leader, who came over from Aston Martin, argues that this is exactly what the fans want to see. "We did give the fans a bit of a show. And I think that’s what it’s about. You’ve got to let them race," Szafnauer told The-Race.

Ocon and Alonso enjoyed

Ocon and Alonso themselves let it be known immediately after the race in Saudi Arabia that they enjoyed the fight and that there was mutual respect with enough space for each other. The two drivers therefore believe that not much needs to change towards the other Grands Prix that are still on the program this season.