Ocon: Season starts now after early 2018 struggles

The Force India Formula 1 team is keen to build upon the momentum of recent races heading into this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. 

The Silverstone-based squad endured a tough start to the new campaign and lagged behind its midfield rivals, before recording three consecutive points finishes, including a podium in Baku. 

Esteban Ocon’s sixth-place finish in Monaco lifted Force India above both Haas and Toro Rosso into sixth in the constructors’ standings. Until Monaco, Ocon had only managed one top 10 result in Bahrain, and the Frenchman feels his season is only truly starting now after admitting he struggled in the opening races of 2018. 

“It’s great to finally get a good result after a few difficult races and I feel my season has only truly started now,” Ocon explained. 

“We have taken some good steps forward since the start of the season and I am looking forward to more races like the one we had in Monaco.

“Last year we had a really good weekend in Montreal, fighting with the Ferraris and coming away with a good result,” he added. “We seem to do well on tracks like this so hopefully we can continue to score points and keep our momentum going.”

Sergio Perez looked set to join his teammate in the points until a botched pitstop proved costly, with the Mexican ultimately dropping to 12th. Perez said he cannot wait to get back in the car in Montreal so he can move on from his Monaco disappointment.  

“I was disappointed not to get the result I think we deserved in Monaco,” Perez said. “The car was quick, but the luck wasn’t on my side. We are becoming more competitive with each race weekend and I want to get back in the car to forget Monaco.

“I have some very good memories from Montreal. I finished on the podium there in 2012 in one of the most exciting races of my career, and I’ve had some other strong performances there, including last year.”