Ocon and Colapinto beat Leclerc for the fastest lap in Austin

Despite having failed to score any points during the Austin F1 race weekend, Alpine's Esteban Ocon set the quickest race lap at last weekend's United States Grand Prix.

Although Alpine brought new parts to Austin, Esteban Ocon was unable to access the latest updates and was left trailing quite a stretch behind Pierre Gasly throughout. Nevertheless, he was still able to start from a respectable twelfth place on the grid but was forced into a spin by Alex Albon before he had even reached Turn 1.

Subsequently, Ocon found himself at the very back of the field, totally out of contention, while way up front. At the same time, William's newcomer Franco Colapinto found himself in contention for points, running with a different strategy. The Argentinean driver burned a 1:37.611 into the asphalt on lap 46 after switching to medium tires, and he was well on course to take his very first DHL Fastest Lap and the bonus point along with it.

However, Ocon was well outside of the points at this juncture, but Alpine decided to call him in to bolt on soft tires just before the end so that he could grab the DHL Fastest Lap with a 1:37.330. That was because of the championship standings, with Williams being in eighth place, four points up on Alpine.

"At least we got the fastest lap for the team," said Ocon, who was mega disappointed with his race in every other respect. He felt the need to apologize to Franco afterwards and said: "Sorry to Franco, as he deserved it." Ocon finished 18th in the end.