1
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.
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
62,145 comments on Alpine F1
2 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Esteban Ocon
96,020 comments on Force India 8 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Force India
Replies (1)
Login to replyboudy
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.