The Qatar Grand Prix weekend seemed to have a new battle for the midfield supremacy. Instead of it being McLaren v Ferrari, with Pierre Gasly involved, it appeared as if we would have Alpine going up against AlphaTauri as both teams would begin the weekend on the front foot, and they would take that form into qualifying – with Gasly leading from the front. However, race day proved to be pivotal. Whilst Alpine were enjoying their podium success and taking 25 points back with them, AlphaTauri were left departing the Losail International Circuit empty handed in both aspects.
Although Gasly has made a habit this season of fighting for the large amount of points, he usually is doing so one handed. In Qatar however, it seemed as if AlphaTauri would have both of their cars battling – something Yuki Tsunoda has struggled to do consistently in his rookie season.
Alpine were enjoying similar fortunes. Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon were comfortable with their top ten positions throughout the weekend, being topped off by Alonso’s fifth place result in qualifying. As class as this was, Gasly bettered it with fourth. Of course, once the grid penalties were handed out, these two drivers would start the race in second and third, whilst Ocon and Tsunoda were going hand in hand with eighth and ninth on the grid.
So far, so good. The two teams, who just happened to be tied on points in the Constructors Championship before lights out at Qatar, were going to battle for the lead in the midfield. But, that did not happen. Whilst Alpine were flying high, AlphaTauri were sinking down the field in a way that was not graceful. They could not get a sniff.
A surprise result. Gasly looked set to be fighting Alonso throughout the race, but after getting passed by the Spaniard at turn two on the opening lap, the Frenchman could not prevent anybody else making their way past – eventually finishing in 11th. This had to be a combination of factors, from tyre wear to overall pace, it just looked uncomfortable for him on race day. From a front row start to zero points was a slight fall from grace. Tsunoda did not fair much better.
Participating in a rare Q3 appearance, Tsunoda would technically close the gap on his teammate by only finishing two places behind, yet it was still a 13th place finish. Zero points for the team from a weekend that looked as if they could take an advantage over Alpine. The Japanese driver would see his race basically unfold after his first pitstop. In an interesting gamble, Tsunoda would stop earlier then his rivals around him in order to complete and commit to a two stop strategy, something that became crucial toward the end of the race, but Tsunoda’s tyres were too worn by the time the puncture scenario came about to be able to do anything useful.
Of course, they could not predict the punctures, despite all the teams being warned by Pirelli. Either way, Tsunoda was left having to come back through the field after each stop, showing that their strategy was far from ideal.
On the other side, Alpine had a whale of a day. Alonso, starting third, would have no doubt enjoyed his whopper of a pass on Gasly around the outside of turn two, and only had to accept Max Verstappen passing him, despite dropping behind Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas after his tenure in the pit lane.
Obviously, Bottas’ circumstances played a large role in said podium. But even after the dramatic puncture for the Mercedes, it was never really on the cards until Red Bull decided to opt for the safer option with Perez.
Alonso only had eyes on a successful one stop strategy, whilst Red Bull felt Perez was unable to risk that, so they decided on a second stop which dropped the Mexican from second to seventh, in plenty of traffic. ‘El Plan’ worked for ‘Nando because it was him at the wheel, and the Virtual Safety Car meant he could conserve for a lap or two.
The VSC did kind of ruin the hype around the last few laps, but Alpine won’t complain.
Twenty seconds behind saw Ocon, who managed to hold off Lance Stroll and the two Ferrari drivers, with the group of four being split by less then three seconds as they passed the chequered flag. Ocon would try his hardest to keep Perez behind, in an attempt to repay Alonso for his heroic defending in Hungary, but it did not last long.
A third and a fifth, along with a trophy and 25 all important points for the championship. This also meant that the last ten rounds see’s Alpine score 97 points, whilst McLaren scored 95. A surprise to many.
What did not help McLaren is the fact that they picked up just four points from the intense triple header of Mexico, Brazil and Qatar.
It goes to show, race day can produce many things. After Friday and Saturday, AlphaTauri would not have foreseen their selves trailing Alpine by 25 points after entering the weekend tied, and starting the race on the front row.
When it came to crunch time, Alpine were more composed. Alonso was not going to lose his podium place, his first in Formula 1 for seven years. But, it has to be argued, things did fall in favour for them. The conditions come the race, contributing to Alonso and Ocon managing to guide their tyres better, along with Perez’ extra stop and Bottas’ retirement.
There are times in Formula 1 where the pieces of the jigsaw fall into someone’s lap, yet they still have to be there to pick up the pieces.
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