'Because I'm not French' - Ex-Alpine boss reveals comedy Jeremy Clarkson moment after F1 podium

Former Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer has revealed an amusing comment made by Jeremy Clarkson after the TV personality rewarded the outfit with crates of beer in 2023. 

Clarkson famously describes the Enstone-based Formula 1 team as his 'local team', and has been a guest at grands prix with them through various guises. 

At the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix, Clarkson vowed to gift each team member beer should one of the drivers finish on the podium. This was far from a surefire thing, with Ocon having scored points only twice prior that season, and the team scoring a best finish to that point of eighth - once each with Ocon and Pierre Gasly. 

But Ocon achieved the goal, and Clarkson was good to his word. 

"Esteban finished on the podium in Monaco, and during that race, Jeremy Clarkson said, "If my neighbours finish on the podium, I'm going to give each one of them a six-pack of Hawkstone," recounted Szafnauer on the High Performance Racing podcast.

"So sure enough, he came with the Lamborghini [tractor], and behind the Lamborghini was a massive farm trailer with hay and full of beer. Everyone got a six-pack of beer. 

"I was standing next to Jeremy, and Esteban had the mic, and we had speakers, and everybody was there outside. 

"It was in the summer. Esteban said, "I'd really like to thank Jeremy Clarkson not just for giving us each a six-pack of beer, but for being true to his word." 

"And he's [Clarkson] standing next to me, and you know what he yelled? "That's 'cause I'm not French!"

Clarkson's relationship with Alpine continued at this year's British Grand Prix, with his Diddly Squat farm providing produce for the team's hospitality across the weekend.