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Ocon not satisfied despite P8

15:51, 06 Oct 2018

byAdam Newton

If you had offered Esteban Ocon a qualifying position of eighth place before the qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix, he probably would’ve said thank you and taken it.

But, with Sebastian Vettel in P9 after his tyre mistake and Daniel Ricciardo way down the field after a loss of power in Q2, Ocon has a right to feel frustrated, especially after qualifying behind both Toro Rosso drivers.

Ocon is level with his team mate Sergio Perez on 47 points this season ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, with the French driver still searching for his next move in the sport after it appears his Force India career is over, with Lance Stroll on his way into the team.

Ocon said after qualifying concluded: “Eighth place is okay, but I’m not satisfied because we didn’t maximise our potential today.

“Our approach to Q3 meant we fuelled up for a few laps because we felt the track would dry up and keep improving.

“In reality the track was already quite dry right from the start of Q3 and that’s when the track was at its best, but we were heavy on fuel.”

The Force India driver also revealed that he also got caught out by the weather, leaving him stuck with the lap he set in his first run, when there was still plenty of time to be found.

He continued: “Then, by the time we started our second run, the rain was getting heavier.

“Well done to the others who judged it better than us – that’s what can happen in those wet sessions.

“So I think we had the potential for more and I know we can be strong in the race. Let’s see what we can do tomorrow.”