Ocon and Spa: “It’s a unique circuit for the development of a driver”

The Spa Francorchamps track is undoubtedly one of the favorite tracks of fans and drivers because it remains a difficult challenge to overcome. “It’s a demanding circuit in terms of performance and the three sectors are all very particular,” Explain Or with. “Anything can happen during the race, so it will be an interesting weekend and we will strive to do our best.”

The Frenchman experienced, at Spa, the most important moments of his young career in Formula 1, whether they were good or bad. It is here he competed in his first Grand Prix, replacing the Indonesian Rio Haryanto during 2016, at the wheel of the modest Manor. He raced for the English team until the end of the season and quite quickly competed with the other protégé of the sector Mercedes at the time, the German Pascal Wehrlein.

For the current pilot Renault, there is no better place to start your career in the premier category of motorsport. “I made my debut in Formula 1 there, so Spa is full of good memories. I would say that it is a unique circuit for the development of a driver. I remember everything seemed huge with these legendary turns during my first year in car. It was the right place to start in F1.”

Esteban Ocon races for the Force India team during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, alongside the experienced Sergio Pérez. The relationship between the two men continued to deteriorate during their first year of collaboration (with two main clashes in Canada and Azerbaijan) and the breaking point was reached during the Spa Grand Prix when the two teammates collided in the straight line leading to the Raidillon de l'Eau Rouge while an excellent result was within their reach.

The following edition, in Belgium, went much better for the Norman since he signed an impressive third time in qualifying, under the rain. This is his best performance so far. “Of course, my third position came at a crucial time when I had to prove that I deserved a place in F1. The top three with Lewis (Hamilton) and Sebastian (Hag) was something special.”

But even his impeccable performance in qualifying and his sixth place obtained in the race (after almost taking the lead facing Hamilton, Vettel and Pérez on the Combes straight in the first lap) will not be enough to save his place at Force India, which became Racing Point following the buyout of the team by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, at the end of the 2018 season.

After a forced sabbatical in 2019, the Frenchman now defends the colors of the Losange team. Despite a complicated start to the campaign, particularly against his teammate Daniel Ricciardo, the Frenchman hopes to breathe new life into his season by arriving at Spa. The setback marked by the Renault team in Spain, despite the progress made since Hungary, does not seem to worry Esteban Ocon.

“I think we can perform well at Spa. We still have a little work to do, but I know we will get there. I have new parts (it will in fact be powered by a brand new engine) on my car which should improve performance. I’m looking forward to it and feeling refreshed and ready to get back behind the wheel after a week’s break.”