A new era of Formula One kicked off with the new generation cars at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Qualifying was super tight battle for Q3 - with Esteban just missing out, instead meaning he would line up in P11 for the Grand Prix.
Esteban began well from eleventh on the grid on new Softs pushing up into the top 10 on the opening lap, despite tagging Mick Schumacher at Turn 6, which resulted in a five-second time penalty. Esteban served the penalty at his first pit-stop on lap 14. The Frenchman swiftly weaved his way back through the field, pitting again on lap 30 for Hards and lap 43 under the Safety Car for Softs.
Patience, clinical driving and reliability proved decisive in today’s result with Esteban facing a three-stop strategy during the taxing 57-lap race.
The Frenchman managed his attacking strategy well, crossing the line to seal P7 at the chequered flag.
Esteban Ocon (Started P11, Finished P7):
“I’m very pleased with today and it’s a great start to the season with double points secured for the team. Our pace today was strong, there were some good overtakes and the team made the right calls on strategy. I’d like to say a special shoutout to the pit crew as well who were excellent with so many pit-stops today.
Other than the incident with Mick, which I hold my hands up and apologise for, I was pretty pleased with my race. We will debrief with the team, we can take positives from today’s performance and we look ahead to next week. Onwards and upwards.”
Esteban now heads to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit for Round 2 of the Formula One World Championship, taking place next week on the 25-27 March.
