A show of persistence and precision was key to Esteban Ocon scoring one level in Mexico Metropolis final weekend. Esteban now heads to Sao Paulo for the ultimate Dash weekend of the yr as he seems to be forward to driving the legendary Interlagos.
How do you replicate in your weekend in Mexico?Esteban Ocon: Total, it was a tough and difficult weekend in Mexico Metropolis. As a group, we got here away with one level, which might be in keeping with what we may have achieved. We clearly noticed some key areas for us to enhance throughout the weekend, particularly on Sunday when it comes to racing and overtaking. On my aspect, I had an up and down weekend which consisted of a robust and productive Friday, adopted by a troublesome Saturday, and ended with a tricky however stable race on Sunday to come back away with one, hard-earned level. We’re already looking forward to the ultimate a part of this triple-header this week in Brazil with the ultimate Dash of the season. We might be searching for a smoother weekend and a much-improved efficiency from the group.
What are your ideas on Interlagos? EO: I actually get pleasure from coming to Brazil. It’s a stunning nation which has a lot historical past, information, and fervour for our sport. I’m fortunate to have loads of assist in Brazil and have even been given the nickname ‘Oconzinho’ from the followers there which is fairly cool. I’m trying ahead to seeing lots of them on the monitor this weekend. The Autodromo Jose Carlos Tempo is a conventional racing monitor with an undulating high-speed structure that I actually get pleasure from and has produced nice racing prior to now. It’s one other Dash Race this weekend so it will likely be vital to be on prime of every part from the start. We are going to work laborious to have a great weekend and hope to placed on a great present for the Brazilian followers.
Pierre Gasly left Mexico Metropolis with out factors regardless of a battling effort in a difficult, red-flagged Grand Prix. Pierre seems to be forward to Interlagos, the scene of a memorable podium again in 2019 for the Frenchman, as he units his sights on one other profitable Dash weekend in Sao Paulo.
What are your post-race ideas after Mexico Metropolis?Pierre Gasly: I left Mexico Metropolis with a sense of disappointment as we didn’t rating factors, although, that was in all probability right down to circumstances just like the Security Automotive and Crimson Flag timing. I believe we definitely lacked tempo in comparison with how we’ve fared at earlier rounds and it was fairly troublesome to combat for positions with overtaking proving very tough. I felt we did a great job with what we had in our arms so, in that sense, I am content material with our effort. Mexico Metropolis was a tricky monitor for us as a group, which didn’t not swimsuit our package deal. Operationally, it was one other clean one for us however we’ve to maintain pushing to seek out enhancements and lift our competitiveness stage.
How do you put together for Sao Paulo?PG: This Austin-Mexico Metropolis-Sao Paulo triple header could be very powerful for all of us in Formulation 1. It is very intense plus with the addition that two of these weekends are Dash occasions. To handle that depth, I attempt to unwind once I can. For instance, I have been taking part in loads of golf – and that is not simply in preparation for the Netflix Cup! I organised a soccer match with the group final week with Haas and that helps hold all of us recent and brings togetherness throughout the group and, all the identical time, it was very fulfilling. I will positively take some relaxation this week, practice a little bit bit after which enter Friday able to get going within the automotive. Now we have to be on it right away because it’s just one Observe session earlier than Qualifying. That labored out effectively for us in Qatar and Austin, so I am positively feeling prepared for it.
What do you want about racing at Interlagos?PG: I’ve particular reminiscences there from the rostrum in 2019, that was an unbelievable race with the drag race to the road! Usually, I really like Brazil, I’ve pals there and it is simply an incredible place. Interlagos, as a monitor, is iconic and a favorite in Formulation 1. I do just like the structure, it is quick however has some cool nook mixtures with a pleasant movement to it. The racing tends to be attention-grabbing there as years passed by have proved with the climate throwing up some surprises sometimes. I am trying ahead to it and I intention to complete this busy triple header on a excessive by returning to the factors.
Sao Paulo Grand Prix Factfile
• The 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix will mark the fiftieth Formulation 1 race to be held in Brazil and the fortieth to be held at Autodromo Jose Carlos Tempo. The circuit will change into the seventh venue to have hosted 40 World Championship Grands Prix with Brazil turning into the eleventh nation to have hosted 50 Formulation 1 World Championship rounds
• Pierre secured his greatest end at Autodromo Jose Carlos Tempo in 2019, taking second within the Grand Prix to assert the primary podium end of his profession, crossing the road 0.062s forward of Lewis Hamilton in third
• Pierre is one in all seven drivers on the present grid to have a podium end at Autodromo Jose Carlos Tempo alongside Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas, Carlos Sainz and George Russell
• Esteban secured his greatest end of eighth at Autodromo Jose Carlos Tempo in each 2021 and 2022
• The Sao Paulo Grand Prix consists of 71 laps, the third highest lap depend of the 2023 Formulation 1 season alongside Austria and Mexico
• The unique Interlagos Circuit structure was 7.96km in size however was shortened to its present 4.3km configuration in 1990 attributable to security precautions and it being an unattainable monitor size. Rene Arnoux gained the ultimate race on the unique structure for Renault in 1980
• The Enstone group clinched its most up-to-date two Drivers’ Championships (2005, 2006) and its most up-to-date Constructors’ Championship (2006) at Interlagos
• Esteban’s tenth point-scoring Grand Prix of the 2023 season was his tenth-placed end within the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix final weekend
• Interlagos interprets from Portuguese as “between the lakes”, a reference to the geographic options of the neighborhood. The circuit is formally often known as the Autodromo Jose Carlos Tempo, named for the hometown winner of the 1975 Brazilian GP, one in all solely six Brazilians to win a championship race
• Renault reached 700 Grands Prix as an influence unit provider at Interlagos in 2022. The corporate’s first look was on the 1977 British GP and have taken victories with a 1.5-litre V6 turbo, a 3.5-litre V10, a 3.0-litre V10, a 2.4-litre V8 and a 1.6-litre turbo hybrid V6
