George Russell sends three-word message to Pierre Gasly after surprise Sao Paulo Grand Prix podium

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Alpine started the Sao Paulo Grand Prix sitting only ahead of the pointless Sauber team in the standings.

However, an extraordinary performance from Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly has earned Alpine their best points tally of the season.

Oliver Oakes’s team started the weekend on 14 points, eyeing a battle with Williams for 8th place in the Constructors’ Championship.

However, Gasly proved in the Sprint Race that Alpine may have taken a much-needed step forward, converting his 7th-place start into two vital points.

Alpine then gambled on their strategy after a turbulent qualifying session and it paid off brilliantly.

Ocon was in the running for a podium finish before Franco Colapinto’s crash brought out the red flag, while Gasly had kept his car on the road when many drivers around him were spinning off.

The pair could then put on fresh intermediate tyres in the break – alongside Max Verstappen – and that led the French team to secure their first double-podium finish since 2013.

Alpine were still called Lotus in those days, and at the Korean Grand Prix, Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean finished 2nd and 3rd behind Sebastian Vettel.

Gasly and Ocon were both delighted with their performance and after posting on Instagram, Mercedes driver George Russell congratulated the Frenchman.

It was the perfect way for the one-time race winner to celebrate his 150th Grand Prix start.

George Russell sends message to Pierre Gasly after Brazilian Grand Prix podium

Posting a photo of himself with Ocon and Verstappen holding his trophy, Gasly simply said: “What a Sunday!”

Russell replied to his post and congratulated him by saying: “Great job mate!”

Former driver Giedo van der Garde applauded Gasly, while strategist and presenter Ruth Buscombe said: So proud! What a race!”

On another Instagram post, former F1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi commented: “Bravo Pierin!”

READ MORE: Alpine driver Pierre Gasly’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

On his Instagram story, Lewis Hamilton was delighted for both Alpine drivers and said: “Really happy to see these two on the podium, great drive guys.”

Talking after the race, Oakes shared: “What a way to end the triple-header with a double podium for the team.

Even more so after the early alarm call this morning after the rain delay yesterday! Both drivers were faultless today in difficult conditions, not putting a wheel wrong all day.”

Alpine drivers share ‘beautiful’ childhood story after double-podium finish in Sao Paulo

A lot has been made of Gasly and Ocon not always getting along, but they were delighted for each other on the podium in Brazil.

The pair have worked extremely hard to try and help Alpine climb up the Constructors’ Championship, even though Ocon knows he’s moving to Haas next year.

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

Gasly and Ocon shared a story from their childhood after the race suggesting that the result reminded them of their time together karting in France.

The Frenchman are unlikely to match this result before they part ways but will treasure a truly phenomenal result each time they return to race in Brazil in the future.