Esteban Ocon: The Spa has everything riders love

Esteban Ocon made his F1 debut at Spa as a Manor driver six years ago and since then the Frenchman has scored four points in Belgium and hopes to continue this trend.

Q: Esteban, how was your summer vacation?
Esteban Ocon: That was amazing. I spent some time in Sardinia to rest and recover after a busy first part of the season. The break was important for the team, but now everyone is happy to be back in the race.

In fact, I got home a little earlier and started prepping early for the Spa to be in good shape this weekend and all stages in the series of three Grands Prix. This week I’ve been working on the simulator, I know the team is well prepared to go.

Q: What do you think of the legendary track in Spa?
Esteban Ocon: The track in Spa likes most of the riders, including me. This is a special place for me, because this is where I made my debut in Formula 1 in 2016. I will never forget the day my dream came true.

Last year I had good results here, in 2018 I qualified third and in 2020 we finished fourth and fifth.

At this track we lost Antoine Hubert a few years ago, we all remember him, but personally I think about him every day.

Q: Do you enjoy racing on the track in Spa?
Esteban Ocon: This is truly a legendary course where you are surrounded by history. There are some fantastic corners that are fun to attack behind the wheel of a modern Formula 1 car – Raidillon, Pouhon and Blanchimont, it’s always great to drive in Eau Rouge. There are several long straights and lots of drops – on a circle in Spa is all that riders like.

In Spa you can overtake and the weather is often changeable. Let’s hope it doesn’t rain as hard this weekend as last year.