Ocon: "2019 has certainly made me a stronger driver"

In 2019 Esteban Ocon had to watch from the sidelines as he was dropped by Racing Point and missed out on a Mercedes seat. In 2020 he returns to the grid but this time with Renault, but he's had to put in plenty of hard work to make it here.

Ocon will partner Daniel Ricciardo next season following his switch from Mercedes' reserve driver which was confirmed midway through last season. As reserve driver he had to put in lots of work to force his way into a seat, wherever it was but even he admits it has made him a stronger driver.

“On some nights I could barely sleep because of the work that still had to be done on the simulator. 2019 has certainly made me a stronger driver, I have gained a lot of knowledge, especially in the field of technology," Ocon told Speedweek.

At Racing Point, Ocon had a frosty relationship with his teammate Sergio Perez. However, he thinks his relationship with Ricciardo will be better as he prepares to return to the pinnacle of motorsport.

"We sometimes came too close together on the track. There was respect between us, but the atmosphere in the team was just not good. 

“With Ricciardo as a teammate, the atmosphere is a lot more relaxed. I hope that it will stay that way and that we can do a lot of good work for Renault in this way."