# Esteban Ocon — 2023 season Source: https://www.thef1formula.com/seasons/esteban-ocon-2023 Last updated: 2026-07-01 > Esteban Ocon's 2023 season with Alpine was a mixed campaign, highlighted by a strong podium finish in Monaco amidst a challenging year marked by reliability issues and inconsistent performance. Esteban Ocon's 2023 Formula 1 season at Alpine was characterized by a singular podium success at Monaco, set against a backdrop of persistent car reliability challenges and fluctuating team performance in the ground-effect era. ## Going in The 2023 season presented Alpine with the task of solidifying their position in the midfield, a continuation of the [ground-effect regulations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One) introduced in 2022. For Esteban Ocon, his third full season with the Enstone outfit, the objective was to build on his established reputation for consistency and opportunistic driving. The team had finished fourth in the Constructors' Championship in 2022, and with a new teammate in Pierre Gasly, the internal dynamic and competitive benchmark were reset. The wider context of the 2023 season, dominated by Red Bull Racing, meant that midfield teams like Alpine were battling for marginal gains and capitalizing on any opportunity presented by the front-runners' rare stumbles. ## How it played out Ocon's season began with immediate challenges, including a "Withdrew" status at the Bahrain Grand Prix from grid 9. His early races saw a pattern of mixed results, with a points finish in Saudi Arabia (8th) followed by a collision-induced retirement in Australia. The pivotal moment arrived at the Monaco Grand Prix, where Ocon secured a third-place finish from a strong third on the grid, delivering Alpine's sole podium of the year. Following Monaco, Ocon collected further points in Spain and Canada, both finishing 8th. However, the mid-season brought a series of setbacks. Consecutive retirements due to an "Oil leak" in Britain and a "Collision" in Hungary impacted his points tally. The latter half of the season saw a struggle for consistent top-ten finishes, often starting from the lower midfield. Despite these challenges, Ocon demonstrated resilience, notably converting a 16th-place grid start into a 4th-place finish at the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, a significant recovery drive that added 12 points to his total. By the close of the season, Esteban Ocon had accumulated 58 points, placing him 12th in the [Formula 1 — official site](https://www.formula1.com/en) World Drivers' Championship. He secured one podium finish, achieved at Monaco, and recorded 6 DNFs throughout the 22-race calendar. His teammate, Pierre Gasly, finished with 62 points, indicating a close internal battle within the Alpine garage, where both drivers faced similar car performance and reliability challenges. The [FIA — F1 World Championship](https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-championship) regulations continued to shape the competitive landscape, emphasizing aerodynamic efficiency, an area where Alpine aimed for consistent development. ## Defining moments The Monaco Grand Prix was undeniably the highlight of Ocon's 2023 campaign. Starting P3 after a strong qualifying session, he maintained his position under pressure to secure a well-deserved podium. This result was a testament to his precision driving on a circuit that punishes errors, providing a significant morale boost for both Ocon and Alpine. Conversely, the string of retirements, particularly the "Oil leak" at Silverstone and the "Collision" in Hungary, marked a challenging period. These incidents not only cost valuable points but also disrupted momentum. The Hungarian Grand Prix collision, occurring early in the race, was a particularly frustrating outcome for the team. Another notable performance was the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Starting from 16th, Ocon navigated the new street circuit effectively, climbing to a 4th-place finish. This drive showcased his ability to manage races and capitalize on evolving conditions, a trait that has often defined his career, much like other drivers who have shown strong recovery drives in their careers, such as [Fernando Alonso — 2014 season](/seasons/fernando-alonso-2014) during his Ferrari tenure. ## What it meant Esteban Ocon's 2023 season underscored his capacity for strong individual performances, even when the underlying package presented limitations. His 12th place in the Drivers' Championship with 58 points, including a podium, positioned him as a consistent points scorer when the Alpine A523 was reliable. The season also highlighted Alpine's ongoing struggle for consistent performance and reliability, issues that would carry into subsequent seasons. The close points battle with his new teammate, Pierre Gasly, demonstrated Ocon's competitive edge within the team, a dynamic that would continue to evolve. For a deeper dive into historical F1 data, resources like [Jolpica/Ergast — 2026 season data](https://api.jolpi.ca/ergast/f1/2026.json) provide extensive archives. The season served as a reminder that in the highly competitive ground-effect era, maximizing every opportunity and minimizing operational errors are paramount for midfield teams aiming to challenge higher up the grid. The trajectory of drivers in competitive environments is always under scrutiny, as seen with the anticipation around new talents like [Andrea Kimi Antonelli — 2025 season](/seasons/kimi-kimi-antonelli-2025) entering the sport. Ocon's ability to deliver under pressure, even in a challenging car, echoes the resilience required in F1, a quality also demonstrated by drivers like [Fernando Alonso — 2017 season](/seasons/fernando-alonso-2017) during difficult periods with McLaren-Honda.