Proud Ocon to journalists: "Please take another look at Turn 15/16"

(Motorsport-Total.com) - Esteban Ocon was delighted after finishing eighth in Monaco: His strong qualifying result on the track where he even finished on the podium in 2023, finishing third for Alpine, surprised the Frenchman himself on Saturday: "It's no secret that we've been at the back since Imola; we were almost last in all four sessions there."

In Monte Carlo, this trend initially threatened to continue: "Three practice sessions in and again not far from last place," Ocon feared the worst: "We had major problems with the front of the car; the car simply didn't want to turn in as desired," he reported on the nature of the difficulties - and added: "The more grip the track then offers, the more obvious this problem becomes."

This was already evident in Imola, and again in Monaco: "But we continued to work hard on the car, together with the whole team, right up until qualifying," Ocon said proudly: "We tried everything: differential, suspension settings, engine braking, brake balance, even the wings. We played with everything that was allowed."

Ultimately, it was a success: "On the second run in Q2, the car suddenly woke up. The fact that we managed to continue was completely unexpected," says Ocon - but that's not all, because on his final run he also managed a really strong lap: "That lap in Q3, I really left nothing on the table. I've driven three good laps here in Monaco in my career so far - and that was one of them," enthuses Ocon.

Entrance, vertex and exit each on the wall

He then directly asked the journalists present: "Please take another look at Turn 15/16: touching the wall at the entry, touching the wall at the apex, touching the wall at the exit - there really wasn't much more to it," Ocon said of his lap: "A very special feeling, I'm very happy with it. Definitely a strong Saturday."

But above all, one that gives hope for more: "I'm convinced that if we get these small problems under control, we can reach such positions more often," believes the Frenchman, who recalls: "It was similar in Miami. We just kept working there - and at some point, it suddenly clicked."

"The problem hasn't completely disappeared, but we were able to deal with it better and it didn't slow us down as much anymore," Ocon said, sounding hopeful: "We're heading in the right direction." For him, this realization was "a relief," especially in Monaco, "because that's the race where it counts."

That's why the Haas driver is hopeful: "Tomorrow, we obviously have to get off to a good start, then see who's using which tires – and if we manage to finish the race in that position, then it would be a successful weekend," Ocon said, aware of the special features in Monaco: "But it's not over yet." It remains to be seen what highlight he'll recommend to journalists on Sunday...