Ocon disappointed with Belgium qualifying performance but confident for the race

  • Published on 27 Aug 2017 10:58
  • comments 0
  • By: Chris Soulsby

Esteban Ocon has admitted that he was confused as to why he went slower in in the top ten shootout for the Belgian Grand Prix, with his best lap time in qualifying being set in Q2. With the lap time he produced in Q3, Ocon qualified in ninth place for Force India, however, if he had been able to replicate his Q2 time, would have started in eighth ahead of his team mate Sergio Perez.

Ocon believed that he began to lose levels of grip the longer the session went on for, which meant that his Q3 time was three tenths slower than his best lap of qualifying, although times are usually expected to improve in the top ten shootout. 

Despite feeling a loss of grip over a longer period of time, the Frenchman still feels confident that his pace is good going into today's race, with his Force India being set up to be quick in the first and third sectors, compromising speed in the second sector to increase top speed and overtaking opportunities.

“I think a better result was possible today,” said Ocon. “From Q2 onwards I started to lose some grip and we need to analyse and understand what happened. I was three tenths faster on my Q2 lap compared to Q3 so we didn’t maximise things and I’m not totally satisfied. 

"However, I feel confident about the race. The car is working well and we have a quick race car, especially in the first and final sectors. That will help us tomorrow. It’s a track that encourages good racing and I think there will be opportunities tomorrow and some close battles."

 

Chris Soulsby

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Alpine F1
  • Points 423
  • Podiums 3
  • Grand Prix 136
  • Country France
  • Date of b. Sep 17 1996 (27)
  • Place of b. Évreux, France
  • Weight 66 kg
  • Length 1.86 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar