Pérez: “I didn’t think Ocon would have such results this year”

This season, the internal struggle between the two Force India residents, Sergio Pérez et Esteban Ocon, fueled the column F1 at many times. SinceThe double incident at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) at the end of August, the team management put the kibosh on internal attacks; drivers no longer have the right to fight against each other on the track. It must be said that neither the Mexican nor the French want to give an inch. As proof of their ability to transcend themselves, Force India secured fourth place in the Manufacturers' standings with two rounds remaining.

In the Force India management since 2014, Sergio Pérez did not expect to face a teammate with long teeth. In an interview to be found in issue No. 2138 ofAUTOHebdo, still available in digital version on all platforms and on kiosks, the old official pilot McLaren considers “surprised by the level of performance” of the GP3 Champion in 2015. “I didn’t think he would have such results in his first year. Even when he has a complicated car, Esteban still manages to go fast. It’s one of its strengths, you have to learn from that.”, he admits.

The one nicknamed “Checo” in the paddock also appreciates the Frenchman’s competitiveness. “Lately he has also improved a lot in qualifying (6th at Sepang, 7th at Suzuka and Austin, 6th in Mexico, each time ahead of Sergio Pérez). For me, it's good to have a teammate who pushes me to my limits, because in today's F1, your teammate is your only reference. In front of three teams are untouchable », referring to Mercedes, Ferrari et Red Bull.

Also interviewed by our special correspondent during the Mexican Grand Prix, Jo ramirez, Team Manager of McLaren in the 1980s, was downright amazed by Esteban Ocon's results for his first full campaign in the discipline. “As the season progressed, he got on the same level as his teammate, and if Sergio doesn’t push his limits, Esteban will become No. 1.”, he warns. “This internal competition seems good to me for Sergio, but he absolutely has to succeed because this business is ruthless.”, explains Jo Ramirez.

The former coordinator of the Senna-periodCheers at McLaren judge Esteban Ocon’s results “brilliant”. “This Ocon impresses me, and I’m not the only one. The whole of F1 is impressed, he is fast, but he also knows how to manage his car, especially its tires. Sometimes I wonder what Valtteri Bottas, which is clearly not at the same level asHamilton, made at Mercedes, while Esteban is a Mercedes driver”, he says.

Before the Brazilian Grand Prix, only nine points separate Sergio Pérez (7th) from Esteban Ocon (8th).