F1 | Sakhir GP | Esteban Ocon clinches first career podium: "I cried and I'm proud to say it!"
The Frenchman went on to get his first podium on a one-stop strategy. "That moment, crossing the line, I’ll remember it forever" said the Ocon
He said it and he did it! Esteban Ocon, like his team mate Daniel Ricciardo, was sure he could clinch a podium in the year of his Formula 1 come back, and he did it. The Frenchman conquers his first podium ever, in a crazy racy under the artificial lights of the Bahrain International Circuit.
Renault has shown a big growth during the 2020 season, fighting more than once for the top 3. Daniel Ricciardo conquered the first podium finishes since the team new era in the Eifel Grand Prix and Imola Grand Prix. It's now time for Ocon to get his first trophy.
Ocon started falied to qualify for Q3 on Saturday and started the race from the eleventh spot on the grid. After the collision at the start, that saw Leclerc and Verstappen involved, Ocon moved up to eight. He opted for a one stop strategy, switching from the medium coumpound to the hard after 41 laps. His pit helped him doing an undercut on Stroll. He was sitting in ninth place, when a safety car was deployed because on Aiken's front wing left on the main straight. That's when the disaster happend: Mercedes literally destroyed Russell's hope to win the race, but also Bottas', and the puncture for Russell didn't help. The trio consisting of Perez, Ocon and Stroll just climbed up the group and went on until the chequered flag.
Fantastic, @OconEsteban! That first podium feels pretty good, right?! 🤩#SakhirGP 🇧🇭 #F1 @RenaultF1Team pic.twitter.com/REd3uwfQdg
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 6, 2020
“What a race! We made it, we’re on the podium and it’s a fantastic feeling" said Ocon, who just came back in Formula 1 in 2020 after a sabbatical year.
"It was awesome and all the emotions left my body when I crossed the line. I definitely cried and I’m proud to say it. That moment, crossing the line, I’ll remember it forever. The team executed the race really well, we had strong pace, and I had some fun out there with some overtakes too.
"It’s been a tough season but we kept believing in ourselves and that’s rewarded with this amazing feeling. Keep believing and it will come at some point! We’ve progressed massively this year and next week it’s back to it to focus on ending the season as best as we can".
