Alpine F1’s 2024 journey mixed mismanagement and resilience, culminating in a late-season surge despite early struggles and internal instability.
The 2024 F1 season was a true roller coaster for Alpine F1. Starting the campaign mostly at the back of the grid, the outlook appeared bleak for the Enstone-based team—compounded by numerous personnel and structural changes in the background. However, signs of progress emerged over the year, ultimately earning them 6th place in the Constructors’ Championship. Almost a miracle!
Until the São Paulo Grand Prix, no driver outside the top four teams had stood on the podium—a statistic that made it breathtaking to see not just one but both Alpine drivers on the podium in Brazil.
Mixed fortunes in the rescheduled Sunday morning qualifying session placed Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly fourth and thirteenth on the grid, respectively. Yet, a combination of solid strategic decisions and impressive race management in treacherous weather conditions allowed Gasly to climb up as the race was halted by a red flag.
When action resumed, it was Ocon leading, and the Frenchman did an admirable job trying to fend off a charging Max Verstappen. While the world champion eventually took the lead to secure victory, Ocon held onto 2nd place, marking his best result since his memorable maiden win at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, with Gasly close behind in 3rd.
Before that remarkable Brazilian GP, which saved Alpine F1’s season, things had been decidedly bleak.
Gasly and Ocon were nearly neck and neck in qualifying form throughout 2024, with a notable shift in dynamics: Ocon dominated the early part of the season, while Gasly set the standard as the year entered its second half.
Following F1’s return after the summer break, Gasly outqualified Ocon seven times in nine races and added to his tally by also beating rookie teammate Jack Doohan, who debuted at the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix following Ocon’s premature departure from the team.
A similar pattern unfolded in race-day results, with Ocon generally holding the upper hand early on before Gasly enjoyed stronger performances later in the season. Gasly also suffered more misfortune with mechanical-related retirements, recording four DNFs over the year, including a particularly disappointing exit in Las Vegas after a stunning 3rd place in qualifying. Renault’s engine lacking punch?
While Ocon narrowly edged Gasly in head-to-head confrontations, it was Gasly who ended the season with the higher points tally, scoring 42 points compared to Ocon’s 23. Ocon’s tough second half of the season—apart from the 2nd place in São Paulo—preceded his earlier-than-expected departure from Alpine before his move to Haas F1 in 2025.
Despite a strong finish to the season, it is important to highlight that Alpine experienced several notable incidents early on. From the collision between Gasly and Ocon in Monaco to the seemingly endless personnel changes behind the scenes—including the arrival of their third team principal in 18 months—these factors all pointed to a sense of instability.
Further upheaval came in September with the announcement that the team would no longer use factory Renault power units from 2026, becoming a customer team instead. Flavio Briatore has already been working behind the scenes, perhaps for immediate results but with questionable long-term consequences, as few French fans now truly identify with Alpine F1. Gasly will need to endure this challenging context, with widespread disdain for the team visible across social media.
What can we expect in 2025? While Alpine F1 was not the only team to endure ups and downs in 2024, the Enstone-based outfit can take solace in the fact that their campaign followed an upward trajectory rather than a downward spiral.
Progressing from the back of the grid early in the season to a strong sixth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship is an impressive achievement, particularly given the aforementioned changes occurring behind the scenes.
That restructuring now appears to be bearing fruit, with new team principal Oliver Oakes noting early in his tenure that he could already sense positive momentum stemming from the newfound “stability” within the team.
There certainly seems to be a positive mindset heading into 2025 after a strong run of performances to close out 2024. Gasly admitted after the Abu Dhabi finale that the team’s progress had boosted his confidence for the upcoming season, adding that there is more performance to come.
However, Gasly acknowledged that there remains a “significant gap” to the front-running cars, indicating that Alpine still has work to do if they aim to close in on the leading teams. There’s also an element of uncertainty with Doohan, who will embark on his first full season in 2025.
The Australian was somewhat thrown into the deep end in Abu Dhabi, debuting earlier than expected after Ocon’s departure following the Qatar Grand Prix amid a situation involving Briatore. Doohan will be looking to make a strong impression as one of several rookies joining F1 next year, ultimately aiming to help the team continue its upward trajectory.
Statistics
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Constructors’ Standing | 6th with 65 points |
| Wins | 0 |
| Pole Positions | 0 |
| Podiums | 2 |
| Fastest Laps | 1 |
| Hat Tricks | 0 |
| Grand Slams | 0 |
| Laps Led | 14 |
| Total Laps Completed | 2555 (88.47% of total) |
Driver Comparison
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Race Results | 13–10 in favor of Esteban Ocon |
| Qualifying Results | 12–11 in favor of Pierre Gasly |
- Discover More>Esteban Ocon : The Full Story of His 2024 F1 Season
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