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Esteban Ocon says he is aiming for a high finish in 2017 as he hopes Force India will produce an even faster challenger than last year.
Ocon made his Formula One debut midway through last season with Manor before being promoted to Force India for next season.
Despite its small budget, Force India battled with Williams throughout the 2016 campaign for fourth place in the constructor championship and came out victorious.
"Force India's objective in 2017 is to be among the top three constructors," he said.
"This means we would have to pass a major team, but the new rules means the order could be completely changed next year," Ocon insisted.
"With the discontinuation of the token system, which greatly limited engine development, the gaps should be closed more easily and the established order can be upset. It is for this reason that I am asked to be up to speed right away," Ocon revealed.
"I have signed for two years, but the first year is not to learn," he continued. "My goal is to be in the points at each race, and aim for the top five as often as possible.
"My nine races in 2016 will be useful because I am already in F1 and have learned several circuits, but I will have to discover Melbourne, Shanghai, Monaco and Baku," Ocon said.
"I will also discover a new teammate, Sergio Perez, who is the reference driver of the team. He is one of the top drivers according to some experts, but I will have to beat him, just like the others."
Meanwhile, Ocon said that after a short end-of-year break, he is now training hard.
"I am doing sports five days a week, with cardio, weights and running on the treadmill, to reduce the risk of injury," he revealed.
"I have to build five kilos of muscle, as because the cars will be four to five seconds faster, it will be much more difficult for the drivers," said Ocon.
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Replies (1)
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Posts: 1,168
... Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari were already ahead of them they should be more worried about the likes of mcLaren, Renault, Haas, Williams. The first year is not to learn .... really ..
Considering that the engine restrictions have been removed for 2017 I would anticipate that mcLaren will move forwards. Also Renault will improve throughout and has budget.
Will be interseting to see his progress against the likes of stoffel.
I think he is a really good driver, looks better than wehrlein. Will be interesting to see him against Perez.