Alpine sees Alonso and Ocon as 'important' to each other

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Alpine racing director Davide Brivio says Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon form an interesting combination where both drivers will be important to each other.

Alonso returns to the fray this season after a two-year hiatus from F1 while Ocon heads into his second year with the Enstone squad outfit, having also spent a period on the sidelines in 2019.

The Frenchman required half a season last year to get back into the groove and up to speed. But Ocon's performance level was practically on a par with that of teammate Daniel Ricciardo and the final races of 2020, with the 24-year-old scoring his maiden F1 podium in the penultimate round in Sakhir.

Brivio believes Ocon can build on his gains from last year and prove his potential

"What we are seeing now is something very interesting because he is continuing this coming back period, so for sure he will take advantage of having stayed one year with the team, one year with the same car," explained the Italian, quoted by RaceFans.

"So now it’s time where we can see, I think, his potential and what he can do."

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Brivio also thinks Ocon will benefit from the experience of his seasoned teammate while Alonso will need to watch his back against the ambitious Frenchman.

"Fernando will be important for Esteban in order to show also how he can work maybe in a different way with an experienced driver," said the former Suzuki MotoGP boss.

"And at the same time Esteban can help Fernando because he’s becoming more and more competitive and I think he will be very competitive this year.

"So I like this combination and I’m really looking forward to see both in action. I think Fernando can give us good results and Esteban for sure will also follow."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.