Flavio Briatore shares exactly how much prize money Alpine’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix podiums could be worth

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Even the most optimistic Alpine fans wouldn’t have expected to witness the team’s first double-podium since 2013 at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

On a bumper day of action on Sunday, Esteban Ocon proved he’s still a very dab hand at racing in the rain, securing a second-row start for Alpine.

Pierre Gasly was one of several drivers caught out by Lance Stroll’s red flag in Q2 meaning he had to navigate his way through the pack from P13 on the grid.

Stroll spinning off on the formation lap at least granted him slightly more space on the run down to turn one, and while eventual race winner Max Verstappen raced past him on the opening tour of the circuit, Gasly kept his car on the track, something many of his rivals struggled with.

Conditions were slowly worsening just as every driver’s intermediate tyres were coming to the end of their lifespan.

Alpine gambled that an accident was coming and after almost everyone around them pitted during a virtual safety car period, a proper safety car and subsequently a red flag quickly followed when Franco Colapinto crashed on the run to the start line.

Ocon was leading the race and Gasly was third behind Verstappen as the only three drivers not to pit and were allowed to change their tyres before the restart.

Verstappen overtook Ocon going into the first corner after the final restart, but he comfortably held onto 2nd while Gasly defended expertly from George Russell to join his teammate on the podium.

Flavio Briatore reveals how much prize money Alpine could earn from Sao Paulo Grand Prix podiums

There were wild celebrations in the Alpine garage and Ocon and Gasly couldn’t hide their excitement during their post-race interviews.

Executive advisor Flavio Briatore spoke to Sky Italia after the race and not only analysed their brilliant result but shared how much it could be worth to the French manufacturer.

Briatore said: “The wet has certainly helped us to alleviate the engine deficit. In Las Vegas we will certainly suffer because it is an engine track.

“In the wet, the difference in engine power is effectively zeroed out. We must make up for this lack for 2025, we are missing about three-tenths [from the] engine.

“We know that this is the case, we must try to do well by improving aerodynamics and tyre study without feeling sorry for ourselves.

“Steps forward in the Constructors? From 9th to 6th place is not 30 million [euros], it is 29.2 [£24.5m]. It is the first thing I asked for. In any case, today was a fantastic GP”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Alpine’s F1 executive adviser Flavio Briatore

Team principal Oliver Oakes admitted to Sky Sports F1 that Briatore was immediately on the phone with him to confirm just how much money the team could have potentially made from the race.

Briatore also celebrated the result on Instagram and said: “A fantastic podium at the Brazil GP with Esteban Ocon in 2nd place and Pierre Gasly in 3rd

“Thanks to the whole Alpine Formula One Team for the good work!”

Esteban Ocon jokes on social media about key reason for Brazilian Grand Prix success

After the race, Ocon joked one change he made in the build-up to Sunday’s race was worth it and may have made a difference to the result.

All the drivers, team staff and media faced an early wake-up call, with qualifying on Sunday beginning at 7:30 am local time – the earliest start time in the sport’s history.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Ocon shared a video of him setting his alarm for 4:31 am, referencing the number he races with on his car.

Plenty of drivers are very superstitious and being able to include his lucky number in his preparations would have softened the blow of having to wake up so early.

It’s unlikely he was heading to bed early no matter how tired he was after such a brilliant result.