Jeremy Clarkson makes dig at £470m F1 team after congratulating Alpine on Sao Paulo Grand Prix result

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Alpine recorded their best result since Esteban Ocon’s victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix at the most recent race in Brazil.

The Sao Paulo Grand Prix forced drivers to test their wet weather driving skills to their limits on an action-packed Sunday.

Conditions were so poor on Saturday that F1 organised their earliest-ever qualifying session for the Sunday morning.

Five red flags later, Esteban Ocon had secured a P4 start while Pierre Gasly was caught out by one of those cautions and was eliminated in Q2.

Both drivers did a brilliant job of keeping their cars on track once the race started, with many of their rivals spinning out during the course of the Grand Prix.

Alpine then took a gamble that only Max Verstappen followed, to run as long as possible on the intermediate tyres before what felt like an inevitable red flag was brought out.

Franco Colapinto was the unfortunate driver who ended proceedings behind the safety car, handing Alpine a free pit stop and Ocon the outright lead of the race.

Verstappen ultimately jumped the Frenchman after the final safety car restart, but Ocon and Gasly joined him on the podium to secure the team 33 crucial points.

Jeremy Clarkson visited the Alpine factory in Enstone after the race and on the team’s YouTube channel, he couldn’t help but poke fun at one of the outfit’s rivals.

Jeremy Clarkson makes Sauber dig while celebrating Sao Paulo Grand Prix result with Alpine

Clarkson arrived at Alpine’s factory with enough beer for the team in Enstone to celebrate their double podium in Brazil.

When asked to give a speech at Alpine’s factory alongside Gasly, Clarkson said: “I was going to say thank you Esteban as a joke, but I won’t!

“We’re getting a bit annoyed by this success that you keep having.

“If it continues, we’re going to support Sauber, or Audi, or whatever the hell they’re going to be called.

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

“Congratulations, not just to you [Gasly] and Esteban for an amazing performance in Brazil, but actually the whole team.

“We do support you, I love supporting you, so really well done on that and let’s hope it continues!

“And if you want a tip from me, you don’t get this on Ted’s Notebook, if you want to win a race, drive faster!”

Alpine in crucial battle in the Constructors’ Championship after thrilling Brazilian Grand Prix

While the £470m-valued Sauber team are still searching for their first point this season, three other manufacturers are battling for 6th in the team standings with three races to go.

Before the race in Brazil, Haas had an advantage over RB after making steady progress during the second half of the season and nailing their latest update package that they delivered in Austin.

However, Gasly showed signs that Alpine were on the rise by grabbing two points in the Sprint Race in Brazil.

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

The French team have had a poor season, but by more than doubling their tally in one weekend, they’ve given themselves a three-point lead over Haas and a five-point advantage over RB.

Haas will back themselves to overturn that deficit given how quick their car has been over the past few months.

However, the nature of F1 is that weekends like Sao Paulo can always happen and Flavio Briatore will hope he can cash in on the extra prize money Alpine may now earn.