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Esteban Ocon: "I have more confidence in the car now"

2020-12-04T18:47:47.226Z


The French driver returned to his complicated start to the season, and the progression that followed. Without forgetting to mention the spectacular accident of Romain Grosjean last Sunday in Bahrain.


Esteban, how do you see this second race in Bahrain, on a different circuit, very little winding?


Esteban Ocon:

It's going to be a very important weekend in terms of having to manage everything well, especially in terms of traffic.

During qualifying, we will have to manage the exit times.

It looks simple like that but even the yellow flags, they will have to be taken into account differently because the circuit will be very short, very fast.

This will create different problems than usual.

I think whoever does well will not necessarily be the fastest, but the one who makes the fewest mistakes.

That's how I see it anyway.

After what happened last weekend with Romain Grosjean's accident, is it complicated to get back in the car a week later?

Do you harbor some apprehension?


We are human before being a pilot.

And even if when you lower the visor, you focus on what to do, it is not easy.

Recently, we have had too much of a comeback after a few years without serious accidents in the discipline.

So obviously, it's complicated to get back in the car after seeing such images, but it's the best way to move on and ignore the rest. 

“I had little time to progress and analyze my performance between races.”

How much do you think your year away from the circuits in 2019 weighed on your performance this season?


It’s clear that it’s not easy, after an off season, to come back and perform immediately, especially with few tests.

In addition, I arrived in a new team, to work with new people.

It's more complicated than coming back to work with a team that I knew.

All of this meant that it took me a little while to progress and just do a good job with the team.

But I think my progress has been good this year.

We managed to do some great things and overall I finished well.

That's what I have to keep from this year so that I can start strong in 2021 right away.

You talk about your progress, which was particularly noticeable in qualifying.

How do you explain it?


It is a sum of details.

I think what has been really better is building my weekend as a whole.

I understood better from session to session how to make the car progress, what I needed to get the most out of it.

I gained in understanding the car.

This is mainly where I won a few tenths.

The better I know the car, the more I have confidence in it, which changes everything, especially in qualifying where everything is played out on one lap.

I have more confidence in the car now than before.

You have also changed your way of working, as recently confided by your boss, Cyril Abiteboul…


Yes, it's true.

It has been a complicated season working being close to the team and going to the factory as travel was restricted due to the pandemic.

For example, I couldn't go to England as much as I wanted to work on the simulator.

There was also a time constraint with the races going on at a crazy pace.

I had little time to progress and analyze my performance between races.

Afterwards, I conducted a reflection with my engineers so that we work more efficiently, so that we understand each other better.

And in this area, since Monza, there has been real progress.

It's something I'm going to save for next season.

"It's something special to have as a teammate someone I admired when I was younger."

How was your collaboration with Daniel Ricciardo?


Pretty good.

Daniel is very nice and easy to work with.

We have worked very well.

We have good debates in the meetings.

There is a good atmosphere in the team and I think if you can't get along with Daniel then you won't get along with anyone (smile).

Especially since he is very funny outside the races, knowing how to be serious when necessary.

How do you imagine your relationship with Fernando Alonso next season?


Good, I think.

I have no a priori on the subject.

I have a lot of respect for Fernando, for his career, what he accomplished in F1.

His battles with Michael Schumacher made me want to do F1, they are what made me love this sport.

It's something special to have as a teammate someone I admired when I was younger.

In 2017, I even exchanged my helmet with him and he is the only rider whose helmet I have at home.

Not to mention that I had driven for his karting brand in 2010 and 2011. It's pretty fun.

I look forward to working with him.

Does the fact that Pierre Gasly won this year make you a little jealous?


It's just beautiful that Pierre has won this year.

He fully deserves it.

We want to hear more Marseillaise after the races.

I work there every day, in order to do the same as him.

It is sure that it makes you want.  

What do you think of Mick Schumacher's arrival in F1 next season?


It's great to see the Schumacher name again in F1.

It is something strong.

I congratulated him by sending him a little message.

From time to time we discuss sport or something else.

He's a very nice guy and I'm very happy to see him happen.

Read also

  • Grosjean, Renault, Hamilton crash… Alain Prost's confidences

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2020-12-04

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