Ocon disappointed with race director after 51G impact: 'Nothing was fixed'

On Saturday, we saw 19 drivers in qualifying. Esteban Ocon was missing, as he parked his Alpine car in the wall in Turn 13, just before the sharp chicane in the third free practice session. Although the crash seemed harmless, it was still a hard hit, Esteban Ocon revealed after qualifying.

The Frenchman explained to The Race that the impact was as high as 51G. The cause of the high G-forces at the crash was the concrete wall into which he slammed sideways. After the crash of Carlos Sainz on Friday it was already indicated that the F1 drivers want changes in that corner, but the FIA did nothing.

Changes to the wall required according to drivers

The drivers would prefer a Tecpro barrier at the exit of turn 13. It absorbs the forces of the car and provides a softer impact. So although the speed is low on that part of the circuit, the crashes are still with big consequences. Sainz eventually came away with neck pain, while Ocon suffered from his knees from the crash.

"Carlos has complained to the race director, we were all there listening to it and nothing has been done," notes Ocon. "Carlos said the impact was way too big and today it felt huge. It’s probably the biggest shunt of my career to be fair." The crash damaged his chassis and prevented him from taking part in qualifying, forcing him to start from last place today.