A record of consistency for Ocon in Austin

Author of a weekend without the slightest hitch, Esteban Ocon (Force India) finished for the sixth time this season in sixth place in a Grand Prix on Sunday in Austin (Texas). The Frenchman set off from this same rank after the penalty imposed on Max Verstappen (Red Bull) at the end of the qualifications.

La car Rose started the turbo as soon as the lights went out, stealing fifth place from Kimi Räikkönen for a few kilometers. It is the second time in a row that the native of Evreux (Eure) rubs shoulders with the top of the basket during the first rounds. Logically demoted behind the leading group, Esteban Ocon did his best to contain the threat embodied by the Renault de Carlos Sainz Jr.

The critical moment of the event came when his best enemy Sergio Pérez (Force India) activated the radio button to ask his engineer if he could overtake his teammate. Request rejected by the team, which thus allowed the French driver to continue his event. “I spent a good part controlling my pace, saving tires in order to succeed in the one-stop strategy”, reveals Esteban Ocon. “The team then told me when I could attack, and this final result demonstrates the success of the plan. »

Robert Fernley, Force India's technical director, was full of praise for his driver's performance. “His fight with Sainz Jr was very intense; it was fabulous to see him preserve his advantage, especially since Esteban didn't feel well all weekend. » Severe headaches had bothered him during Saturday practice.

Esteban Ocon obtains a record in Formula 1, that of the greatest number of GPs completed consecutively for a beginner. With 26 races, he surpasses… Max Chilton, holder of 25 finishes at parc ferme in a row between 2013 and 2014. In the Drivers' championship, the Frenchman is 13 points closer to his colleague Sergio Pérez (7th).