Esteban Ocon Addresses Early Qualifying Exit in Saudi Arabia

Haas driver, Esteban Ocon, has shared his thoughts following his early exit from the qualifying round of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Frenchman will start the race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit from 19th on the grid.

Understanding the Car’s Struggles

In conversations with Motorsport.com and other media outlets, Ocon explained that the team is still trying to figure out what is causing the car to underperform.”Obviously, we were significantly slower than expected,” he commented. “Trying something different in qualifying might not have made a significant difference. I lost around 2.5-3 tenths, which would have moved me from 19th to 17th position, but that wasn’t the main issue.

The team has faced difficulties since the beginning of the weekend, as evident from Free Practice 1 (FP1). “We need to continue working with the team as we always do,” Ocon said. “I’m confident we’ll overcome this challenging situation.

Preparing for the Race

When asked about the team’s understanding of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which seems to be unfavorable to the Haas VF-25, Ocon replied, “I just got out of the car, so I need to keep investigating.

Currently ninth in the drivers’ standings with 14 points, Ocon joined Lance Stroll, Jack Doohan, Nico Hulkenberg, and Gabriel Bortoleto in a Q1 exit. Looking ahead to the race, Ocon highlighted the circuit’s demanding nature.”This track is incredibly challenging for drivers,” he said. “It’s so fast, with high grip levels. The closer you get to the wall, the more time you can save per lap. It will be extremely hot there this year, reaching around 40 degrees, making it a tough challenge for everyone.