Ocon says F3-style cars will suit him better

Esteban Ocon says the new generation of Formula One cars will handle more like Formula Three machines, which he thinks will play into his hands.

Speaking to F1 Fanatic at the launch of Force India’s new car today Ocon was enthusiastic about whether F1’s move to higher-downforce cars will complement his driving style..

“When I went into GP3 I struggled a little bit more. GP3 style was more like Formula One style from 2016 or 2015. More power and les grip. Now it’s more grip and less power, I prefer that.

Ocon explained how the drivers will have to change their approach in cars which are expected to produced considerably more downforce.

“It will be much different,” he said. “Driving style will be different, much more grip so you can push more in the corner. The power will be less effective out of the corner because we’ll have no more grip so less wheelspin, so you can attack the corner differently.

“But more than that I think the physcialy point of view will be much harder than the previous years.

“It was hard already the last years but I think it will be twice as hard this year.

Another change to the driving experience in 2017 will come from the tyres. F1’s official tyre supplier Pirelli has been asked to produce wider and more durable rubber this year.

“This everyone will like,” Ocon admitted, “to have less deg is better”. But, he added, “it’s not one hundred percent sure we will have less deg. Let’s see first.”

Concerns have been raised about how overtaking will be affected by the new changes. Ocon pointed out that increased drag will make it easier for drivers to catch each other on the straights, “but then also bigger understeer in the corners”.

Force India examined data from World Series Formula V8 3.5, which uses more durable Michelin tyres, to predict the likely outcomes from the change in tyres. Ocon expressed doubt that having more durable rubber would make passing easier.

“For overtaking, no, it will not make a difference. Because also World Series is difficult to overtake and it’s Michelin tyres.”

2017 F1 season

• Sepang pays Haas compensation for Grosjean’s 2017 crash
• Williams revenues rose in 2017 after Bottas deal with Mercedes
• Australian Grand Prix cost government £56 million last year
• “Grand Prix Driver” takes you inside McLaren’s nightmare final year with Honda
• Undisputed champion: 10 titles name Hamilton top driver of 2017