Ocon convinced Alpine 'heading in the right direction'

Esteban Ocon enjoyed a strong qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka International Racing Course on Saturday, securing himself a third row grid position for the start of Sunday's race.

Ocon ended the day fifth fastest, putting him alongside Lewis Hamilton. His Alpine team mate Fernando Alonso will line up right behind him in P7 next to George Russell in the second Mercedes.

More importantly, both Alpines are well ahead of their McLaren rivals with Lando Norris tenth and Daniel Ricciardo in P11.

A double DNF for Alpine in Singapore handed the momentum to McLaren in their fight over fourth in the constructors championship. Now they have the chance to reverse that setback - provided they can get a good result tomorrow.

• Read also: Verstappen sets sights on title with Suzuka pole

"Pretty strong weekend to be honest," said Ocon, hours after it was confirmed that he would be joined at Enstone by compatriot Pierre Gasly in 2023.

“I’m delighted with today and how the weekend has unfolded so far. Fifth place is a great result for us, just behind the Red Bulls and the Ferraris.

“We’ve shown that the car was extremely fast," he continued. "We couldn’t really show that to everyone in Singapore, looking at everything that happened – the rain, obviously our DNF.

After the disappointment of last weekend, it is very satisfying to bounce back in this manner and show our potential. The upgrades are working well, and our car suits this circuit.

"To be back so strong is really the confirmation that we are [going] in the right direction, we are bringing the updates that are working.

"The car was so nice to drive today," he added. "I really enjoyed qualifying around here and to be in the top five is great.

"It’s a job well done from everyone trackside and at both factories. We are in a solid position to score points with both cars tomorrow so we are fully focused on finishing our Japanese Grand Prix weekend strongly.”

Ocon knows that the biggest threat at the start of the race will be from Hamilton, but said that he hoped to fend off the Mercedes and keep fifth into the first corner and all the way to the finish.

“That’s going to be the aim, for sure," he confirmed. We were fighting with the Mercs earlier this year; if I remember tracks like Jeddah, they were quicker than us.

“We’ve updated the car a lot since then, but obviously the target is to keep them behind. It’s not going to be an easy thing to do, but a lot is going to happen.

"There is going to be some rain in the air also, so let’s bring some good points for the team tomorrow with both cars.”

Alonso also thought a lot could happen in the race, especially if the rain that best Friday practice returns during the afternoon.

"Tomorrow let’s see if we have mixed conditions, that would be ideal. More chaotic in the race is better for us!" he told the media in the paddock at Suzuka after the end of qualifying.

"The people in the front, they are fighting for the world championship, they cannot take too many risks," he explained.

"I think we might be even more competitive in wet conditions, so I’m hoping for the weather to be a bit mixed," he pointed out. "[Friday's] wet running was a little bit more competitive than the dry.

"But let’s see. I think we are ready for any conditions," he insisted. "If there is some rain, we will stay focused and there is a possibility to be in the top five by the chequered flag.

"I’m surprised about how close all of the teams are this weekend, with only a few tenths of a second separating a number of cars. I’m positive heading into tomorrow’s race.

“We start [with] both cars in front of both McLarens, so let us try to score more points tomorrow," he added. "I think that’s our main target for the remainder of the races."

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