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
“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
2019 F1 season
- Crying in the Melbourne car park at 2019 grand prix was my career low – Ocon
- McLaren Racing reports reduced £71 million loss in 2019
- Kvyat: Hockenheim podium last year was “my biggest achievement” so far
- How the FIA’s new encrypted fuel flow meter targets Ferrari’s suspected ‘aliasing’ trick
- “He smashed my office door”: 23 must-see moments from ‘Drive to Survive’ season two
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.
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.
JohnH (@johnrkh)
3rd December 2019, 19:54
@passingisoverrated
Wolff rates him very highly.
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.
Tomcat173 (@tomcat173)
4th December 2019, 3:08
@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.
Krommenaas (@krommenaas)
3rd December 2019, 19:43
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.
Carlos Medrano (@carlosmedrano)
3rd December 2019, 19:03
This guy better not start crashing into ricciardo, once ricciardo starts beating him
P. Petterson (@petterson)
4th December 2019, 9:27
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.
RB13
4th December 2019, 10:52
@carlosmedrano Perez was the one putting him in the wall because he was feeling threatened dont get it twisted. 🤡
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
3rd December 2019, 21:18
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.
Herheijm (@herheijm)
4th December 2019, 7:08
Yes, fully agree.
Recently watched it back. Couldn’t believe it. And Martin Brundle’s commentary: “even for position this should be a penalty”.
nickthegreek (@nickthegreek)
4th December 2019, 9:35
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
Aussie Rod (@aussierod)
3rd December 2019, 21:48
Despite being a big Danny Ric fan I think Ocon is going to give him a very very hard time.
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.
ColdFly (@)
4th December 2019, 7:08
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?