Ocon realistic about own performance: "Not yet at 2018 level"

In 2018 Esteban Ocon drove a full GP weekend for the last time. Since then the Frenchman had to do with simulator work for Mercedes. In 2020 the driver returned to the F1 grid full-time but is now employed by Renault. The Frenchman feels more and more at ease with the French team, but indicates that he is not yet at his old level.

"There's still a lot to improve. It still doesn't feel like I'm on the level as I was at the end of 2018," Ocon explained to Motorsportweek. "I think I can improve a number of things and also feel more comfortable within the team. It's getting better, I'm slowly starting to get back into the old rhythm."

"It's also nice that I'm slowly becoming more and more part of the team. We still have to work on qualifying, because we are really behind", Ocon said. The driver said he's doing well with his racing speed. "If we can improve qualifying, I'm sure we're going to have a good race. So it's really important that we do better on Saturday.

Ocon expected that it would be a new learning process for himself to get back in an F1 car after a year's absence. "I did expect it would be more difficult to get back in. I am very happy with the start of the season. We have been in Q3 several times, P5 started in Austria. It's a good start, but of course I want more," Ocon concluded.