Alpine's double podium lands potential $50M windfall at Brazil GP

SAO PAULO — Alpine's Formula 1 team hit a potential $50 million jackpot at the Brazil Grand Prix on Sunday, with French drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly claiming second and third place respectively at a rain-soaked Interlagos circuit.

The chaotic, crash-filled race saw the Renault-owned team score more than twice as many points in one afternoon as they had in their previous 20 races combined. Gasly, who also finished seventh in Saturday's sprint event, said, "We have struggled to score points and in these conditions everything was possible. No one believed it until the end. Two cars on the podium. I don't think anyone would have got that on their bingo card ahead of the season."

The 33-point haul lifted Alpine from ninth to sixth in the constructors' standings, surpassing both Haas and Red Bull's RB by a significant margin. With prize money determined by constructors' championship positions, analysts suggest maintaining this position could net Alpine up to $50 million as the season wraps up.

Mechanics and engineers visibly celebrated in the pit lane, recognizing the significance of the achievement. Ocon, who is set to join Haas next year, marked his highest finish since his 2021 Hungary win. "What a day that was after a difficult season," said Ocon. "The car was extremely difficult on the dry and really I felt at ease when it started to rain this morning... I love it here when it rains."

Team Principal Oliver Oakes, who stepped in as Alpine's fifth boss in August, praised the effort, calling it a 'mega' achievement. "This team is a great team, it always has been," said Oakes, reflecting on the team's championship-winning past as Benetton and Renault. "It's going to be a good winter now, this is what we need to get some momentum behind us."

With three races left in the season, Alpine hopes to maintain its form and capitalize on this unexpected windfall.

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