Breaking news
Formula 1 Sakhir GP
Ocon hopes Sakhir GP podium proves doubters wrong
Esteban Ocon hopes his maiden podium finish at the Sakhir Grand Prix shows those who were doubting him on his return to Formula 1 were wrong.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Dec 7, 2020, 9:14 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Frenchman pulled off a well-executed one-stop strategy to grab second place at the Bahrain event behind race winner Sergio Perez.
And off the back of a season where he has faced some disappointment, and been surrounded at one point by speculation that he could lose his drive, Ocon said the result was incredibly important for him.
"I've no words. I cried on the line," said Ocon after the race. "That's how much emotion is going through my mind, actually.
"Now, it's been a tough season, on our side. It hasn't paid off all the time, but we never stopped pushing, we kept working hard, and kept staying motivated. That was very important.
"At the moment where there's less and less people believing in you, it's important to believe in yourself and today we made it happen. I'm very pleased with it so it's hard work, but it paid off."
Ocon has faced a tough challenge in going up against Daniel Ricciardo this year, and he openly admits that his Australian teammate definitely raised his game in 2020.
"Daniel is a fantastic benchmark," said Ocon. "He has done a very solid season into his second season at Renault, and he has stepped up.
"But overall, you know, I feel like my progression has been strong as well. And I'm closing the gap to him and, to have that podium, is the cherry on the cake."
Read Also:
- Stroll thinks pit exit error cost him Sakhir GP win
- Perez says shock Sakhir GP victory was on merit
- Sakhir GP: Perez takes shock win after Mercedes debacle
- Verstappen calls Leclerc's Lap 1 move "reckless"
Ocon returned to F1 this year with Renault this year after a season on the sidelines as Mercedes reserve driver, and it took him some time to get up to speed.
For next year, he will face the extra challenge of being teammate to two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who is returning to F1 after two seasons away from the sport.
Ocon's result in Bahrain is Renault's third podium of the season, with Daniel Ricciardo having finished in the top three at the Nurburgring and Imola this year.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mercedes under investigation for Russell, Bottas tyre mix-up
Next article Russell: Losing victory twice in Bahrain "really bloody hurt"
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Esteban Ocon
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
15 h
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
15 h
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
You Ask The Questions: Esteban Ocon
Formula 1
Belgian GP
You Ask The Questions: Esteban Ocon
More from
Renault F1 Team
“I went back to the car and cried” – Esteban Ocon opens up about his unexpected year on F1 sidelines
Formula 1
Formula 1
“I went back to the car and cried” – Esteban Ocon opens up about his unexpected year on F1 sidelines
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Formula 1
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
On this day: Michael Schumacher’s final unsportsmanlike manoeuvre
Formula 1
Formula 1
Monaco GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher’s final unsportsmanlike manoeuvre
Latest news
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 6 h
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
6 h
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
7 h
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
13 h
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe