It has been a difficult start to the Formula One season for French team Alpine but they could be turning a corner at the Miami Grand Prix.

With extra points on offer Esteban Ocon looked to be in a position to capitalise on any mistakes in front of him after qualifying in thirteenth for the Sprint Race.

Sadly for him and the team a mix up at a pit stop cost him as he finished fifteenth while Pierre Gasly moved from sixteenth to ninth just missing out on a point to former teammate Yuki Tsunoda in RB.

French driver Esteban Ocon said after the two sessions: “I would say it has not been the smoothest of days for us today. We had a misunderstanding at the beginning of the Sprint in the Pit Lane – a big and costly mistake – and the team and I will work hard to improve this type of thing.

“After that, it was a busy race but well outside the mix of the points as a result of the penalty.

“In Qualifying, we knew it was going to be a difficult session and we were again able to progress through Q2 but fell short of making it to Q3.

“The field is very close so we have to keep working on the things that will make us benefit next time.

“The aim is to fight and push forwards in the race and we will do everything we can tomorrow, getting as much out of the car as possible and, hopefully inside the points.”

Next up was qualifying for the French duo and after a run of first round eliminations the pair made it through into the second session.

Where the pair missed out on a top ten spot with Gasly taking twelfth with a 1min 28.324secs lap to start on the row in front of teammate Ocon, who took thirteenth with a 1min 28.371secs lap.

Pierre Gasly had these comments to make after the days sessions: “There are plenty of positives and learnings to take as a team today. The upgrades we have on the car are clearly working in line with our expectations.

“In the Sprint, we finished in ninth place, which is the closest we have been to the points all season.

“Then, in Qualifying, we finished just one tenth from reaching Q3. We know where we are lacking and we have to try and improve these areas as the gaps in and around the top ten are so small.

“I had a very good feeling on my Q1 lap but then it felt different in Q2 so there are things to analyse and further understand. It does feel like progress and I’m aiming for the first points of the year in tomorrow’s race.”