Esteban Ocon explains his ‘extraordinarily robust’ run to P7 as Pierre Gasly rues pricey monitor restrict penalties in Qatar

Esteban Ocon was happy to take house some “precious factors” for Alpine after battling via sickness throughout the race in Qatar, whereas Pierre Gasly admitted he made “too many errors” after a slate of penalties for exceeding monitor limits value him a spot within the high 10.

Ocon was one of many drivers to make large beneficial properties firstly of the race, going from eighth to fifth as he took benefit of the confusion brought on by the Mercedes drivers colliding at Flip 1 on the opening lap.

MONDAY MORNING DEBRIEF: How the mandated tyre limits formed an uncommon Grand Prix in Qatar

The French driver later misplaced out to Lando Norris and George Russell however pulled off numerous spectacular overtakes – together with on Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez – on his technique to ending seventh. It is his greatest outcome since ending third in Monaco, and got here regardless of the actual fact he was vomiting within the automotive throughout the race.

“What a troublesome and bodily tough race for all of us,” stated Ocon afterwards. “Ultimately, it was a terrific outcome for us in seventh place and 6 factors within the bag. We had a terrific begin to transfer as much as fifth and credit score to the crew too for a well-executed technique and pit stops.

“The situations had been extraordinarily robust within the automotive, and I didn’t really feel nicely bodily within the first half of the race. I used to be capable of pull it collectively and concentrate on what I wanted to do.

“We had a few good overtakes alongside the best way and we introduced house six precious factors for the crew. Now it’s time for relaxation and restoration after which put together for a demanding triple-header within the Americas and we’ll look to hold this momentum into Austin.”

As for Gasly, he had been working proper behind Ocon for a lot of the night, however points along with his engine and three five-second penalties for exceeding monitor limits value him a possible place within the factors.

READ MORE: Zhou manufacturers his back-row-to-points run in Qatar ‘one thing fairly particular’

The French driver was capable of serve one of many penalties within the pit lane, however after crossing the road tenth on the street, he dropped all the way down to twelfth when the time was added on on the finish.

“It was a troublesome race. Most likely one of many hardest since I arrived in Method 1, however I imply the entire day was very robust,” stated Gasly. “We had some points on the engine facet which value me various efficiency all through the entire race with the clipping.

“I used to be actually giving the whole lot contained in the automotive attempting to compensate it and doubtless simply over pushed and went past the monitor limits too many occasions, we’re speaking about a number of centimetres.

“However sadly, regardless that it’s a number of centimetres it nonetheless value me 15 seconds with the penalty. Too many errors from my facet – I’ve acquired to do higher for subsequent time and I’m positive we are going to do higher.”

READ MORE: ‘There’s extra we wish to win’ – Verstappen vows to maintain pushing after title-winning Qatar weekend

Requested if he nonetheless noticed his sturdy tempo as a optimistic, Gasly stated: “As I stated there have been various points in the present day, and nonetheless on a day the place all that is occurring, we had been nonetheless in competition for factors, so there’s nonetheless some positives.

“Clearly popping out of the automotive with all of the feelings and adrenaline it’s extra a bittersweet feeling proper now. However I believe wanting on the tempo it was there the entire race. We had been aggressive, there have been a few good strikes as nicely. I’m positive we are going to decide the positives and work on what didn’t go as nicely in the present day.”