Alpine driver Esteban Ocon believes the side to be in a much better position this year.
Esteban Ocon completed the Day 2 of testing for Alpine driving the A523 during the morning session. Ocon registered 49 laps on Day 2 before giving his teammates Pierre Gasly a chance in the afternoon. Gasly went for 59 laps.
Although the time set by the duo has not been that impressive so far, Gasly finished P10 while Ocon finished P12 on the timing charts on Day 2. Still, Ocon believes that the side has a much better performance compared to last year at this point:
After completing his session, Ocon said:
“[We are] much more ready that we were last year. Last year we were struggling quite a lot with the car, just to keep it going on the track, and this year that is not the case at all. We almost completed the plans on Pierre’s side, and my side, so it is definitely better.
“I feel it’s been a good test. Good to obviously have a first feel with the proper conditions that we are going to have during the race weekend. Previous to that, it was obviously very different in Europe for the filming days, for the tyre [tests].”
“We’ve learned a lot in the first two days, it’s been not a stressful one. We took it time by time, run by run, and it’s a good understanding going on,” Ocon continued.
Ocon praised his teammate Gasly
Ocon was also asked how his days have been going so far with his new teammate Pierre Gasly. The duo was rumored to have had a rift in past. Regardless, Ocon stated that both are adapting well and are “similar”:
“Very good. At the moment Pierre has a very similar feedback to mine. We complete each other pretty well, so it’s been a good start.”
Ocon’s new teammate Pierre Gasly also provided his insights on the car. The Italian Grand Prix winner also seemed to be repeating his teammate’s opinion.
The Frenchman said there were “no issues” with the car:
“[There are] areas we can improve. But I must say it is quite clear, and quite important for me to spot or understand the car as fast as possible.
“And also communicate with the team in what sort of direction I want to take it, and what I like. But so far, I’ve been really pleased with the way the team have welcomed me and the way we’ve been working.
“Based on my feeling, I felt comfortable. I could spot straight away what sort of strengths and weaknesses we got from that car, what sort of direction I want to take it in, in terms of car balance etcetera.”
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