First test back in an F1 car feels “fantastic” – Ocon

2019 F1 season

Posted on

| Written by and

Esteban Ocon said it was a “fantastic feeling” to be back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time ahead of his return to racing next year.

He completed his first day of testing for Renault at Yas Marina. He previously drove for the team earlier in his career before joining Mercedes as a junior driver.

“I was so excited for today,” said Ocon, who last raced in F1 with Force India in 2018. “I’ve been waiting for that day for months and finally it happened.

“I have a good first impression. The team gave me a very warm welcome, which is always very satisfying, seeing some old faces, some new faces as well, which is great.

“Now we properly started to work on all the little details. Towards the afternoon I started to get closer and closer to the limit. So it feels nice.”

Ocon said his first impression of the team’s RS19 chassis was positive. “It feels good. Obviously there’s always a lot that you can improve.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

Esteban Ocon's cap, Renault, Yas Marina
Renault gave Ocon a special cap
“But the engine is also something new for me since couple of years. Good power. Then, of course, the balance, you need to always work on it. It’s never perfect [but] I think we have a solid base that we can continue tomorrow.”

As one of F1’s taller drivers, Ocon found he fits better in the cockpit of the Renault than he did at Mercedes. “My seat position is a bit better than that car because there’s more space,” he said. “Obviously Nico [Hulkenberg] and Daniel [Ricciardo] are taller than Valtteri [Bottas] and Lewis [Hamilton].”

He said he needs to concentrate on getting used to working with his new team on the second day of the test tomorrow.

“Just getting to know everyone and getting to work with new people, it’s very different,” he said. “I think this is what’s going to take the most time, for all of us to understand each other perfectly.

“There’s always a lot to say in the first day. So that’s the most complicated one and the one you need to get your focus the most on.”

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

2019 F1 season

Browse all 2019 F1 season articles

15 comments on “First test back in an F1 car feels “fantastic” – Ocon”

  1. José Lopes da Silva
    3rd December 2019, 17:14

    One of the most exciting battles next year. The loser could be going nowhere, like Hulkenberg (eliminated by Ricciardo). They won’t be out of F1 in 2021, but they might start a path in the midfield for the rest of their careers. They are still both regarded as current or future top drivers.

    1. GtisBetter (@)
      3rd December 2019, 17:49

      I doubt anyone who matters (like people who decide who gets a drive) considers Ocon a currunt or top driver in this field. The reason he is there is mostly because he is french. Then again, I won’t judge him just on his first year. It’s always difficult go get back and Renault doesn’t look like they are 100% committed. At least from the outside.

      1. @passingisoverrated
        Wolff rates him very highly.

        1. GtisBetter (@)
          3rd December 2019, 20:48

          PR speak. His actions speak louder, choosing Bottas over him. And I highly doubt he will drive for Mercedes if there is a spot.

      2. @passingisoverrated You would think being French is only one of the factors.

        After the 3 years with Renault, Hulkenberg became a known quantity. Being beaten by Ricciardo in his first year in the team certainly didnt do him any favours.. that and the fact that Hulkenberg hasn’t reached his potential (those podiums!). Ocon is a much younger version of Hulkenberg, where he still has alot of potential to fulfil. It’ll be interesting to see how he gets on against Ricciardo given he’s had time out of the sport.

    2. It’ll be exciting if Ocon manages to be on Ricciardo’s level, or above, but that would be a surprise. I’m expecting a similar dynamic to Norris and Sainz.

  2. This guy better not start crashing into ricciardo, once ricciardo starts beating him

    1. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did given his time with Perez at Racing Point. And taking out the race-leader in Brazil in 2018 while being a lap behind.

    2. @carlosmedrano Perez was the one putting him in the wall because he was feeling threatened dont get it twisted. 🤡

  3. This is one driver I didn’t want to see in f1 ever again. From hero to 0. What he did in 2018 is scandalous.

    1. Yes, fully agree.

      Recently watched it back. Couldn’t believe it. And Martin Brundle’s commentary: “even for position this should be a penalty”.

    2. you mean in Brazil? give him a break, everybody makes mistakes. I don’t think he’s bad, I don’t think he’s all that either

  4. Despite being a big Danny Ric fan I think Ocon is going to give him a very very hard time.

  5. Cristiano Ferreira
    4th December 2019, 1:23

    As long as he is willing to crash into his rivals to please Ricciardo / Renault / Mercerdes he is going to be just fine.

  6. Not very excited at have Ocon back.
    He mostly drove well during his first stint, but to me his attitude is tainted after Brazil. Did he ever apologise?

Comments are closed.