F1 News
Jeremy Clarkson brings beer to the Alpine factory for special celebrations
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri visited Jeremy Clarkson at his Diddly Squat Farm and tried his hand at driving his tractor, with mixed success. But that is not all for Clarkson and his F1 adventures while the sport has a two-week break between the Brazilian and Las Vegas Grands Prix. The former Top Gear host visited the Alpine garage in Enstone, surprising them with gifts of his own homemade beer after their fantastic result at Interlagos.
It has been a very tough season for the French team. Before the Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, they sat ninth in the constructors' championship, with factories in France closing down as a result of Renault no longer manufacturing engines for the team, which also resulted in engineer strikes for the team.
However, the season turned on its head, as Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were able to finish in P2 and P3, respectively, in Brazil, holding onto a double podium after calling the perfect strategy in the torrential rain.
Clarkson continues to deliver on his promise as he jokes with Gasly
That superb double-podium catapults the team and their new team principal Oliver Oakes to sixth in the constructors' championship, potentially making them $20 million richer if they hold onto that position. That result also meant that Clarkson needed to fulfil a promise he made last season.
After Ocon's podium at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix, Clarkson said on X, former Twitter: "Come on Alpine. I’ll buy you all a pint if you get a podium here." The Frenchman held on, and the 64-year-old stayed true to his word and delivered some of his own Hawkstone beer to the Enstone factory, just ten minutes down the road from his own farm.
After Alpine's P2 and P3 in Sao Paulo, it prompted Clarkson to tweet once again, saying, "Brilliant work from Alpine in Brazil today. Fantastic result for the Chipping Norton folk." And again, he came bearing gifts, bringing some more beer.
He handed them to Gasly, almost knocking them over in the process but he managed to catch them before damaging anything. "Now that's what's called reactions!", said Clarkson towards Gasly. He also had some advice for the Frenchman after his P3, telling him "If we want to win a race, drive faster!", followed by lots of laughter from everyone at the garage.
Just a small surprise at Enstone today pic.twitter.com/CA7P4w6npY
— BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) November 13, 2024
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