“Do I miss Alonso? No, we’re close”

Esteban Ocon Arrived at Spanish Grand Prix with morale through the roof after getting a superb podium last week Monaco. The Frenchman attended the MD, among other ways, at a round table where he spoke about his new role as project leader and was full of praise for Fernando Alonsowith whom he shared the box for the last two seasons

First of all, how are the feelings after Monaco?

“It was very difficult and I’m happy to get the trophy and very happy with the podium we achieved last weekend. There was a lot of pressure to get the lap in qualifying so you can position yourself to have a good result going into the race. This is what we did , I had a lot of confidence in the car, improving every lap every session and getting closer and closer to the wall. And in the end we were able to do that great lap in handling the If you tell us before the weekend that we can escape there we won’t believe it.”

If from the TV it seems complicated, we can imagine ourselves inside the car …

“It was not easy to maintain the position, a lot happened. Nothing seems easy while you are in the front of the race. The hit to Sainz, the pressure from Hamilton afterwards, the rain that poured at the end… it was very difficult .

Do you miss Alonso?

“I think we are running close enough to miss him. Well, maybe not enough but we are on the track. Logically I see the same thing as you and Alonso is having a great season. I have a lot of respect for him and I no doubt he is still at the top of his level. He is proving that he is one of the best of all time and it only remains to take his hat off. I hope to improve and get closer to him in every race. . “

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

“Barcelona could be another good test for our car. All the news were reserved for Imola but we put them in Monaco when it was cancelled, but this track is more than a track of car rather than a driving track. If you have a fast car you will definitely be ahead. So I’m happy to get here now. It will tell us what areas we need to study more.”

After two years with Fernando on the team, he is now the clear leader of the project. Feelings so far?

“I’m doing the same job as when Fernando was there. I give as much feedback as possible, every week I go to the factory, I’m fully involved in the project as I already was. I’m still working with the same man, so everything remains the same.”

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