Ocon wants to ignore rumors | GPToday.net

Esteban Ocon would rather focus on himself and Alpine this year than get caught up in Formula 1’s inevitable development war. Alpine was the penultimate team yesterday to showcase their new car, with only Alfa Romeo yet to showcase this year’s car. , next Sunday when the test session in Barcelona is over.

While there were concerns that the tighter restrictions would leave less leeway for design, at first glance the cars have showcased a wide range of different design philosophies, leading to a fascinating time as they compete for supremacy at the season opener in Bahrain.

While the action on the track is still the primary focus, many experts predict that the goings on off the track will be an equally grueling process as teams inevitably try to replicate successful elements of rival cars in their own designs, while trying to to hide their own best facets as best as possible.

Designers have their own race

Ocon said that this makes him feel tense for the coming season, but also that it is better to become the fastest team as the season progresses, rather than jumping off the starting blocks and then falling back.

He expects it will be a big challenge for the drivers to deal with this as the majority have already said the new cars will require a change in their own driving style, but the Frenchman is going to keep it simple for himself and focus only on Alpine laying. Speaking at the A522 presentation, Ocon said: “This year is extremely exciting for Formula 1 and for us as a team. It’s like the cards have been redistributed, it’s a fresh start and there will be a real mix without knowing right away. who will be in front.”

“We don’t know what will happen; you could say that creates some fear, heading into the unknown, but I think that’s exciting. It’s not necessarily about who starts the season the fastest, but more about who. it will finish the fastest. We know there will be a high level of development from all teams throughout the year. The designers in the factories basically have their own race during the season.”

“It will be a great challenge for us drivers where we will hopefully see that we can get closer together and enjoy what close racing is. All of this is subject to confirmation and we will have a much clearer picture at the end of the tests. have.”

Rumors

The Frenchman does not want to concern himself with the rumours and has set himself the goal of ignoring them: “We don’t know where our competitors will be, but we just have to focus on ourselves. You always hear rumors from other teams, but they go I’m ignoring for now, some will lead the way, others won’t, but it’s hard to tell.

“What I do know is that we’re going full steam ahead! Our goal is to get out of race weekends with no regrets and do everything we can with what we have. That’s how I approach the season.”