Thanks to Ocon, Renault scores points in Austria for the first time since 2016

After a year and a half weaned from Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon (Renault) was looking forward to the start of the 2020 season of Formula 1. The Frenchman avoided mechanical problems and other incidents from his competitors to make up for a poor qualification with a solid race.

Indeed, the 23-year-old driver scored the points eighth place when he started from 14th place on the Red Bull Ring (Austria). “It felt good to actually get back to work today. Finishing in the points is an excellent result, especially since I'm still a little rusty! 

P8 from P14 on the grid today, good results but we know we can deliver more let’s do it!! # EO31 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/D0o5OzSUAC

- Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) July 5, 2020

I'm happy with how the race went, but we know we need to qualify better to be higher up the order. Our pace was good and I was happy with the feeling the car gave. 

We will study the race in detail to see what we can rectify and improve next weekend. We will have another opportunity to fight for better positions and I am really looking forward to next week. »

His boss, Cyril Abiteboul, also prefers to see the bright side of things, even if reliability concerns had an influence on the course of the weekend, notably costing Daniel Ricciardo's race. “Esteban did a great job. Esteban will be able to build on Sunday's foundation. 

The other positive point is the improvement in our performance on a track which is traditionally unfavorable to us but in a very tight peloton. » It is indeed curious to note that since 2016, Renault has never finished in the top 10 in Austria! “Esteban made a great comeback, scoring the team’s first points in Austria since our return to Formula 1.”

“By next weekend, it is imperative that we focus on the reliability issues that not only led to Daniel's retirement but also impacted Esteban's qualifying preparation program and therefore his position on the grid. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the Austrian Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondent in Spielberg, in issue 2268 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.