Why star-struck Alpine F1 drivers aren't the biggest beneficiary of Zidane's wisdom
Before a difficult start to the new Formula 1 season in Bahrain, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon got to hang out – and have a kickabout – with French footballing legend and World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane. OLEG KARPOV was there to witness the drivers and select members of its Academy receive invaluable lessons in excellence
It's a chilly winter morning. There's a bit of hustle and bustle outside gate 28 of Madrid's biggest stadium, the legendary Santiago Bernabeu, which is currently being renovated. The presence of a few police cars and TV crews suggests this is no ordinary day.
At 1045, Esteban Ocon pulls up to the entrance to the Real Madrid museum in a green Alpine A110S. Yet the F1 driver is more of a guest than a protagonist today. A few selfies later, he joins GP Racing in the huddle to wait for an even bigger sports star – the man who, as player and manager, has won four Champions League trophies and three La Liga titles with the team that owns this very stadium.
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