Alpine F1's Esteban Ocon "I am very satisfied to have defeated Fernando Alonso"[F1-Gate.com]

Esteban Ocon said he was pleased to have beaten Fernando Alonso as a teammate at Alpine F1 Team and had to “improve my skills as much as possible” to do so.

Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon, who will move to Aston Martin next year, have been teammates for two years at the Alpine F1 team. In his senior year, Ocon edged Alonso in the drivers’ standings with a 92-81 point lead.

After losing 81-74 last year, Esteban Ocon ended the partnership with a two-year total of 166-82, ahead of Fernando Alonso.

This means Esteban Ocon is the first Nooshita driver since Lewis Hamilton in 2007 to surpass Fernando Alonso in the process of partnering with teammates.

Fernando Alonso has suffered from a series of reliability issues this year which cost him points, but Esteban Ocon said he had his own issues and was happy to have won the head-to-head.

“I feel good,” said Esteban Ocon.

“He’s a very fast driver. I had to raise my arms as much as I could.”

“I’m very happy to finish ahead of him this year.”

Esteban Ocon achieved the best points total of his F1 career this year had he failed to finish on the F1 podium and finished 8th, his best result in the first full season of 2017 (with Force India).

Esteban Ocon feels the only thing missing from the 2022 season is a podium finish, calling it his best season in F1 so far.

Although the Alpine F1 Team has been under the impression that reliability issues have plagued Fernando Alonso’s car throughout the season. Esteban Ocon believes the Alpine F1 Team has pushed performance and “made this position for itself”.

And Esteban Ocon feels he has enjoyed working with Fernado Alonso to help move the Alpine F1 team forward.

“It’s great to be able to work with Fernando and bring the team to this level,” said Esteban Ocon.

“I am delighted to have spent two years with him. I wish him all the best at Aston Martin and hope we can work closely together in the future.”