Esteban Ocon returns to the circuit which gave him his first victory in Components 1 again in 2021 as he previews this 12 months’s Hungarian Grand Prix… a race the place something can occur.
How are you aiming to bounce again in Budapest after the final two Grands Prix?Esteban Ocon: It is by no means a very good feeling while you depart on Sunday with out scoring any factors and that has occurred now twice in a row. It’s extremely disappointing, particularly after some optimistic races earlier than that. Silverstone was significantly tough with a troublesome weekend ending in a retirement as a result of a hydraulic leak in what was our residence race for Enstone. We’re pissed off as it’s clear we’re nonetheless not the place we wish to be when it comes to outcomes, particularly given the actual fact we have now not maximised the potential of the automobile and brought our alternatives. We have sat down and reviewed varied issues, and we have ready this subsequent couple of weeks as finest as we may with bodily preparation, simulator work, and varied conferences. We shall be seeking to bounce again in Budapest and Spa, tracks the place we have been good at prior to now.
What do you anticipate from the subsequent couple of races, the final two earlier than the summer season break?EO: I anticipate us to maintain our heads down, work onerous, and give attention to ourselves. After the final couple of weeks, it’s clear we have to react rapidly and make an affect on the monitor. We now have additionally seen our shut rivals make some large enhancements and if we wish to compete and beat them, we should up our personal efficiency and execution. The Hungarian Grand Prix is that this weekend, going down at certainly one of my favorite circuits, and the place I had my first win a few years in the past. We are going to look to ship a powerful consequence there and put our disappointment behind us. I do know we’re assured in our capability however it’s as much as all of us to show that into good performances on Saturday and factors on Sunday.
Budapest is certainly one of your favorite circuits. What do you take pleasure in about it?EO: I like driving on the Hungaroring. It is up there as certainly one of my favourites and that is not simply because I gained there! It is a correct driver’s circuit with a lot of twists and turns, the place overtaking may be tough and tyre administration is essential. Budapest as a metropolis is gorgeous and has a very good vibe to it. Will probably be a bit totally different not heading straight into the summer season break after the race weekend, as we often do, however I’m excited for the subsequent two weekends the place we all know we have to ship good outcomes to enter this 12 months’s summer season shutdown on a excessive.
After an unlucky finish to the race in Silverstone, Pierre Gasly is able to come again robust in Budapest this weekend. A favorite on the Components 1 calendar, the Frenchman seems to be ahead to taking over the quick and flowing Hungaroring.
What’s your mindset heading to Budapest after disappointment in Silverstone?
Pierre Gasly: We definitely deserved extra as a staff in Silverstone after we left there with out scoring factors. The tempo was there within the race as we confirmed by being the combo for sixth or seventh place. The Security Automotive timing compromised our plans because it allowed a handful of automobiles to leap forward of us with an primarily free cease. After which, our race was just about over by way of no fault of our personal on account of suspension injury after a collision. Silverstone highlighted some issues with our total bundle, the place we have now strengths and the place we have now issues to attempt to enhance. My mindset is certainly one of feeling optimistic and decided to return to scoring strong factors in Budapest. I spent a really gratifying week in England after the race, taking in London, watching the tennis in Wimbledon, and I am undoubtedly feeling recent and able to tackle this weekend on the Hungaroring.
What do you want about Budapest and the Hungarian Grand Prix?PG: I like Budapest. It is a unbelievable metropolis and certainly one of my favourites of the season. The ambiance there’s all the time electrical with so many followers each within the metropolis and on the monitor supporting us. I do fairly just like the meals in Hungary and I am a fan of the great structure within the metropolis. It is lovely! Properly-shaped and rounded just like the Hungaroring! It is a quick monitor with a fantastic stream to it, continuous with momentum key to a quick lap. I hope it fits our bundle and we will have a aggressive weekend the place each Esteban and I try to return to the factors and goal a powerful finish to the primary half of the season earlier than the summer season break with each Budapest and Spa again to again.
