1
Force India's Esteban Ocon thinks that Force India can be relatively competitive this weekend at the Belgium Grand Prix. The track is notorious for being high speed, a characteristic that should play into the strengths of the Silverstone based squad.
Spa-Francorchamps will bring some pleasant memories for Ocon, who made his debut at the circuit last year for Manor. Since then, he has stepped into a much faster car and is feeling fully refreshed after the summer break, ready to attack the second half of the year.
"I had a great summer holiday in the south of Spain. My batteries are fully recharged and I’m looking forward to getting back in the car. It’s now a year for me as a Formula One driver and the time has gone by really quickly. So I’m no longer a rookie!
"Spa is usually a good track for racing because it’s easier to overtake there compared to some other tracks. There’s also the famous Spa weather which brings unpredictability. I don’t mind if it rains because it could bring some more opportunities our way."
Despite being one of the most famous race circuits in the world, the Frenchman admits that Spa isn't one of his favourites. He arrives in Belgium on the back of five consecutive top ten finishes, which leaves him eighth in the driver standings.
"Spa is where I made my debut last year. It’s a great track, but it’s not necessarily one of my favourites. There are some special corners, especially through sector two, which has a nice rhythm. It’s a circuit where you have to be totally at one with the car because you need to be really committed through the high-speed corners.
"I think we can be competitive this weekend regardless of whether it’s dry or wet. The layout of the track should suit our car quite well. Everybody loves driving through Eau Rouge and it’s certainly the most famous part of the lap. In these cars it will be an amazing experience. Maybe the first lap of the race will be a bit of a challenge, but after that I think we should be able to take easily flat."
Fergal Walsh
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
61,968 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 replymcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Damn sure it will. Historically, Spa always suited them.