Gasly: A very personal relationship between Ocon and myself

The Frenchmen grew up racing each other from their karting days up till they joined Formula 1, and while their relationship was not always smooth.

Such was the intensity of the relation at some point that many questioned the wisdom behind having them as teammates at Alpine.

But it seemed only the good memories seemed to come back after their impressive finish in Sao Paulo last Sunday.

Speaking to the media, Gasly reflected on his relationship with Ocon; he said: "I don't think anyone can understand. It's a very personal relationship between Esteban and myself. But we've been going through so much.

"All these times we've had, like over winter, minus five degrees outside, we were the only ones showing up at the go-kart track, going out in the rain, in the snow, slick tyres, [when we were] nine, 10, 11 years old, and we've really practiced these conditions.

"And on a day like today, I can tell you this actually made the difference, all that practice. I remember us getting back in the truck trying to get warm after a few laps because we were absolutely freezing. It's just that we've had our ups and downs," Gasly explained.

The partnership will come to an end at the end of the 2024 F1 season. Gasly commented: "This two-year chapter as teammates, I think we can be very proud of the way we've pushed the team forward.

"It's been tough, obviously, this season, but we've always tried to push the team in the right direction to never give up. And on a day like today, even when the car has misbehaved for the majority of the season, everyone tried to [bring] the A-game, and it was just a historical day for the team.

"So very proud for everyone working in the team to achieve such a performance," he concluded.

And on the same topic, Ocon was asked whether he was happy to sign off on his Alpine foray with such a result; he responded: "Well, it's not signed off yet. There are more races to go, three more.

"But yeah, if that's the reward, then I'm very happy to call it that this is the reward. It's been five years of good moments, more difficult moments, of course.

"But, yeah, extremely happy and proud of me and Pierre, to be honest. We've had our stories at times, but it's been incredible to do that last formation lap.

"A lot of flashbacks came back to my memories," the 28-year-old went on, "when we were racing on the wet in go-karts, when we were young, even in the snow with the slick tyres, we were both racing together and waiting for the podium or the win to come.

"And today, yeah, it tastes a bit like that. So, yeah, beautiful story from where we come from, and that one will for sure forever stay engraved," Ocon, who will join Haas in 2025, concluded.