The delighted Alpine driver believes that he and his team have had “the perfect weekend” after drawing level on points with McLaren in the constructors’ championship.
Esteban started the race in sixth place and made a good start on Sunday, finding himself as high as third in the first stint. And after coming into the pit lane on Lap 15, the Alpine driver had to make his way through the field, pulling off brilliant overtakes on Zhou Guanyu and Yuki Tsunoda in the process.
Esteban had got as high as fourth before being overtaken by first Lewis Hamilton on Lap 30, and George Russell on Lap 60. But, after Carlos Sainz’s retirement, the Alpine driver was able to come home in P5, in what he described as an “awesome” weekend.
Esteban Ocon (Started P6, Finished P5):
"What a day, what a weekend! I think we really maximised the pace of the car today when it really mattered. It was a great way to cap off my 100th Grand Prix in Formula 1. There were some good fights on the track today, but in the end George [Russell] was too quick and fifth position was the best we could have achieved. We go home with some very good points after this weekend, moving up to eighth in the Drivers’ Championship and now level with McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship.
As a team we are moving in the right direction and we have momentum on our side going into Paul Ricard, one of the team’s home races, and of course mine as well. It should be an incredible weekend and I can’t wait to be back in front of the home fans in two weeks’ time."
The next race in two weeks’ time sees the team gear up for its home race – the French Grand Prix at Circuit Paul Ricard.
