Otmar Szafnauer, former Alpine boss in Formula 1, recalled a funny episode involving Jeremy Clarkson and how the presenter gifted the team members with beers in 2023.
Read more F1: Komatsu reveals biggest problem of Haas to evolve
Clarkson describes the Enstone team as his “local team” and has been a guest in the paddock at numerous events. Then, at the 2023 Monaco GP, the personality promised that each team member would receive a beer if one of the drivers finished on the podium – something unlikely, since Esteban Ocon had only scored points in two events that year and the best result being two eighth-place finishes, one with Ocon and another with Pierre Gasly.
It turns out Esteban managed to finish third in the Principality, and Jeremy found himself obliged to fulfill his promise. “Esteban climbed the podium in Monaco and, during that race, Jeremy Clarkson said: ‘If my neighbors get on the podium, I will give each of them a pack of six Hawkstone beers’,” Szafnauer said on the High Performance Racing podcast.
Read more F1: Research indicates that Verstappen can still win a GP in 2026
“And sure enough: he showed up with the Lamborghini tractor and, behind it, there was a huge agricultural trailer with hay and full of beer. Everyone got a pack of six beers. I was next to Jeremy; Esteban had the microphone, there were speakers and everyone was outside,” he continued.
“It was summer. Esteban said: ‘I really want to thank Jeremy Clarkson, not only for giving us each a pack of beer, but for keeping his word.’ And he [Clarkson] was next to me and, you know what he shouted? ‘It’s because I’m not French’,” he added.
Read more Antonelli says that it «becomes different» when closing the visor in F1: «Killer instinct kicks in»
