You have to go back to 1996 to see the French flag fly at the end of an F1 Grand Prix, right here in the streets of Monaco: at that time, Olivier Panis won in the Monegasque splendour his first - and only - GP in the premier category. Ocon was not yet born.

Twenty-seven years later, the Norman appreciates. Admittedly, this podium is not a victory - like the only one of his career that he won in Hungary in 2021, but no matter: "we beat Ferrari, we beat Mercedes".

In front of him, only the two-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen, at the wheel of his powerful Red Bull, and the Spaniard Fernando Alonso, in great form since the beginning of the season with Aston Martin, are ahead of him.

"We couldn't do better today, we maximized the potential, even more than what we had in our hands this weekend," Ocon told a handful of journalists on site, including AFP.

Moments earlier, the team had gathered to celebrate its champion of the day in front of the garage. By the time the photographers pressed the shutter button, the champagne was uncorked.

"The swallow does not make spring"

This result comes at a time when Alpine is struggling to meet its main objective: that of getting closer to the Top 3 after finishing 4th in the constructors' championship last year.

The joy of Estaban Ocon on his Alpine, after his third place at the Monaco GP, May 28, 2023 © Olivier CHASSIGNOLE / AFP

For now, the team from Dieppe (northwestern France) is in 5th place, behind Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin and Red Bull.

With only 14 points on the clock after five races, Ocon offered at the end of this 6th round of the season 15 additional points - his teammate Pierre Gasly, 7th in the race, adding 6 more.

"The swallow does not make spring (...) but I've found the team I know and love!" enthuses Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi.

An enthusiasm that contrasts with his remarks made a few weeks earlier. At the Miami GP, the boss banged his fist on the table, assuring that there would be "consequences" for the team after several underperformances.

In the Principality, however, the Frenchman tempered: "Let's not panic, it's Monaco, today's performances are as much of the driver as of the car (...) You have to make sure you stay serious."

Alpine, whose only victory came in 2021 with Ocon, set a goal that year to fight for podiums -- and wins -- within 100 races.

"The potential is there, it's much better, we're finally going in the right direction," Rossi said.

It remains to be confirmed for the one nicknamed "the France team of F1". And this, from next weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

© 2023 AFP