Australian Grand Prix – Francophone review: Esteban Ocon
Seventh in Melbourne, Esteban Ocon continues to bring points to Alpine. The Frenchman, starting eighth, had a rather calm race.
A calm race for Ocon.
Esteban Ocon had a rather calm race this Sunday. Starting in eighth position on the grid, he maintained his position until his first pit stop at the 17th lap. Being the first driver from the top 10 to change his tires, Esteban Ocon rejoined in 16th place and climbed up the field as his rivals made their pit stops, until the virtual safety car caused by Max Verstappen. After the restart, while all the drivers had gone through the pits except for Alex Albon, the Frenchman was in eighth place.
Unable to overtake Albon’s Williams.
Esteban Ocon benefits from the battle behind him between Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly. The Canadian leads a group of six cars for nearly ten laps, allowing the Alpine to build a significant gap.
Small setback in the Frenchman’s race: he remains stuck behind Alex Albon’s Williams for over 15 laps, who has had worn-out tires since the start. Ultimately, it is the Thai’s pit stop in the last lap that allows Ocon to secure seventh place. If the Frenchman had overtaken him earlier, he might have been able to challenge the McLarens ahead and gain valuable points.
Ocon leaves Australia with 20 points and a seventh place in the standings behind Max Verstappen (25 points). The French driver is consistent with two seventh places and a sixth place in Jeddah. He is ahead of his teammate Fernando Alonso who only has two points.
