Ocon "impressed" after first laps around Monaco

Esteban Ocon yesterday drove Monaco for the first time in his career. The Frenchman had never set a lap around the Monte Carlo streets before yesterday's first practice. The 20-year-old says that despite it not being easy, he is heavily impressed.

"It was my first experience of Monaco from inside the cockpit and I am impressed. To be here for the first time in an F1 car is not easy, but I was able to do a good amount of laps and learn my way around the circuit. I took it step by step in the morning and felt satisfied with what we achieved."

Ocon also admitted that in the second practice session in the afternoon, he took it up a gear and brushed the walls a few times, but never suffered any substantial damage.

"In FP2 I tried to push a bit more and I ended up brushing the walls a couple of times. Fortunately, there was no significant damage and I could carry on with our programme. I am looking forward to being back in the car on Saturday and seeing where we stand in qualifying."

Ocon ended the second practice session in P13, three-tenths behind his teammate Sergio Perez.