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
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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