The wait linked to the coronavirus will have been even longer for Esteban Ocon than for his playmates: because it has been now since Abu Dhabi 2018 that the Renault driver is weaned from Grands Prix.
And let Daniel Ricciardo be warned: Esteban Ocon is on the teeth!
“It’s clear that I’m hungry, I’ve been waiting a year and a half to find the starting grid, the lights and everything that comes with the Grand Prix” thus entrusted Esteban Ocon to the Telegram.
“I miss it and there, we’re going to be able to go back, it’s going to be cool. It was still long despite all the occupations. I prepared myself well, it was very important. The physical preparation started in December and when I got back in the car, I felt super fresh. I was able to pass caps that I would not have been able to cross otherwise, on my strength and my endurance. The last time we did three consecutive races without rest, in 2018, it had marked the people in the paddock, there were a lot of tired drivers. But we had enough time to rest and get ready so now it’s time to go! “
But this recovery will take place under special conditions, behind closed doors for at least the first half of the year. Conditions that Esteban Ocon regrets … but understands at the same time.
“Having a fixed calendar over a few races is already a victory. It’s going to be extra-flat, we’ll think we’re in private testing sessions, but we’ll have to ignore all of that, focus because it’s very important to start strong, be in the game right away and perform on all the opportunities we will have because we do not have a very long visibility on what is going to happen in the world. “
What is Renault’s objective for this 2020 season? Being the “best of others”, like in 2018?
“We want to get this 4th place constructor, we will have to score points in all the races, that we progress during the season. “
Does this mean that the peak stables are for the moment still too far from the Viry stable?
“Today, yes” constate Ocon. “These teams are too far ahead, our goal is to close this“ gap ”during the season, and there will be a very good battle for 4th place with McLaren, Racing Point, Sauber. One of the great battles of this season. “
However, the French driver keeps a fixed idea in mind: to sign the first Renault podium since his return to F1…
“Ultimately, my goal is still to win a world championship, it’s my dream. After, you have to be realistic for this year, I want to score points in all the races and succeed in making a podium. Being solid in a twist race and reaching the podium at the end is possible. Very difficult, but possible. “
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