Formula 1

Esteban Ocon: “Finishing tenth three times in a row isn’t enough”

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Esteban Ocon is hoping for more than just a tenth place finish in Russia - Credit: Sahara Force India F1 Team

Esteban Ocon has begun his Sahara Force India F1 Team career with a trio of tenth place finishes but insists he wants to get even better results going forward.

The Frenchman moved to the Silverstone-based team during the off-season after making his Grand Prix debut with the Manor Racing MRT last year, but admits he is disappointed to have only finished tenth in the Australian, Chinese and Bahrain Grand Prix this season.

“After three races in the points I’m feeling happy about my start to the season,” said Ocon. “At the same time, I feel a bit of disappointment that we haven’t achieved more.

“With a bit more luck on my side, I would have come away from China and Bahrain with even more points. Finishing tenth three times in a row isn’t enough for me – I want more!”

Ocon will be racing in Formula 1 for the first time at the Sochi Autodrom this weekend but has previously raced their back in 2015 during his championship-winning GP3 Series season, but the Frenchman has no idea where his team will sit compared to their rivals this weekend.

“Sochi is quite a similar circuit to Bahrain with long straights and low-speed corners,” said Ocon. “It’s a track I know already, because I raced there in GP3, and it’s a nice challenge. I think turn four will feel really cool this year with the downforce we have in these cars and it’s going to be demanding for the front right tyre.

“Performance-wise it’s hard to predict where we will be. We had a good test in Bahrain after the race and we made some progress with the car, but the middle of the grid is very competitive. We have looked stronger in the races compared to qualifying and that’s why we have picked up points in all the races. Getting some more points remains the goal this weekend.”

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