Silverstone, a unique circuit in Esteban Ocon’s career

Silverstone is the home event for Sahara Force India as the team is based right next to the British circuit. This comes with certain advantages, as Esteban Ocon explains in the paddock: « It’s great. The factory is just next door, so we go back there often. The organization is different. Here we are in the motorhome, basically camping by the track. We can bring parts much quicker, and the mechanics really wait until the last moment in case a part arrives before the curfew. »

The team has not remained inactive as it continues to bring improvements to consolidate its fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship. Both of the team’s cars will be equipped with a new front wing, which can prove beneficial on a high-aerodynamic circuit like Silverstone.

On the other hand, performing at home also brings its share of additional constraints, starting with public events with sponsors or guests: « There are many things set up in the Force India parking lot for big events. It’s difficult not to get sidetracked because there’s less time to debrief with the engineers. Therefore, you have to be efficient with your time. »

But these encounters with the public and the closeness with the entire team staff make it a unique race. The announcement by Silverstone of the termination of its contract beyond 2019 is perceived as very bad news by the drivers, who are fond of its high-speed corners: “If Silverstone were to disappear, it would be really ugly. We cannot see Silverstone disappear. It’s a legendary race. We’ve been coming here for years. I’ve heard about a city race in London to replace it, but we would still lose something,” commented the young Frenchman.

This one also doesn’t forget that this circuit was also the key to his arrival in F1. Indeed, last summer, Mercedes entrusted him with a single-seater for a day of summer testing. This is what hastened his appointment at Manor, then at Sahara Force India this year: « It was during these tests that Mercedes realized that I was doing a very good job, that I was fast and consistent. They really realized they had a good driver on their hands. This test really helped. I did 175 laps in the day, I didn’t put a wheel wrong. I focused like it was the most important day of my career and it was the turning point. »

On the scale of an F1 career, a year can seem like an eternity, but it’s good to have a memory, especially when the memories are good. Racing on a track he already knows is also an advantage, as was the case in Barcelona. He therefore hopes this will help him get ahead of his teammate, Sergio Perez.

From our special correspondent in Silverstone