Esteban Ocon, driver for the Alpine F1 Team, expressed his disappointment after narrowly missing out on a top five starting position in the Miami Grand Prix qualifying. Ocon believed that he had the pace to secure a higher grid position, but his aspirations were dashed due to Charles Leclerc’s crash, which brought an early end to the qualifying session.
The incident occurred during Q3 when Leclerc’s Ferrari collided at Turn 7, prompting a red flag and leaving insufficient time for the drivers to set their final flying laps. As a result, the majority of the top 10 drivers were affected, with some benefiting from the disrupted session while others, like Max Verstappen, found themselves starting further down the grid.
Ocon, who will start in P8, was left feeling frustrated, convinced that he had the potential to secure a top five spot had circumstances been different. Reflecting on the session, he expressed his thoughts to Sky Sports F1, acknowledging the team’s progress in improving the car’s performance since the previous race in Baku.
During Q2, Ocon demonstrated his capabilities by securing a P6 position on merit. In Q3, however, he only managed a meaningless warm-up lap on used tires, which didn’t feel satisfactory. Nonetheless, when he switched to a fresh set of tires, he immediately gained two tenths of a second compared to his Q2 lap time. Ocon believed that a top five finish was within his grasp as he executed the initial corners flawlessly. Unfortunately, his opportunity to showcase his potential was abruptly cut short by the red flag, leaving him frustrated by the missed chance.
Despite the disappointment, Ocon remains optimistic for the race on Sunday. While the start of the season has posed challenges for him, with his P8 finish in Saudi Arabia being his sole points-scoring result thus far, Ocon is confident in his ability to convert the team’s qualifying speed into race pace.
Looking ahead to the Grand Prix, Ocon emphasized the need for a well-executed strategy and maximizing every opportunity. He acknowledged that it won’t be an easy task but expressed his belief in the team’s ability to capitalize on their potential and secure a strong result in the race.
As Esteban Ocon prepares to line up on the grid for the Miami Grand Prix, he remains determined to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead. With his eyes firmly set on a points finish, Ocon and the Alpine F1 Team will look to demonstrate their true potential in this highly anticipated race.
