Esteban Ocon takes his first point in Melbourne

He had been announcing it for several weeks, get into the points in every race was one of the priority objectives ofEsteban Ocon before the start of the 2017 season. Under his new Force India colors, the Norman fulfilled his contract in Australia, despite a complicated race, like his weekend in Melbourne.

Long stuck behind the McLaren de Fernando Alonso, the former GP3 Series champion found the opening at the end of the Grand Prix, at the cost of a great overtaking maneuver at the end of the pit straight, while monitoring the pressure of the Renault RS17 Nico Hulkenberg.

“I spent almost the whole race fighting against Fernando because we were side by side for the first lap of the race. He was able to stay ahead and I had to chase him for the rest of the afternoon, confesses Ocon.

It was a tough fight because Fernando is a tough opponent and it's so complicated to close and overtake. Finally, I found an opening in the last laps and took my chance. It was a great moment and it put me in the points. »

The reward at the end of a poorly started weekend

Ranked in the points for the first time in his career, Esteban Ocon could have a smile in the paddock at the finish of the race, after a start to the Australian weekend disrupted by brake problems in EL1, then a judged qualification disappointing by French hope.

“I'm happy with the result and I feel like I learned a lot from my first race weekend with this team, continues the Force India driver. Hopefully this is the first of many points this season. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the Australian Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Melbourne, in issue 2107 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.