Fernando Alonso’s brief run in Renault’s 2020 Formula 1 car last weekend gave the team some useful information, according to Esteban Ocon.
The two-times world champion drove the team’s RS20 at the Circuit de Catalunya. As the event was a filming day, Alonso was limited to just 100 kilometres of running and had to use demonstration tyres.Nonetheless Ocon, who will be Alonso’s team mate next year when Renault rebrands as Alpine, said the run “gave us some little extra information.”
Alonso has also been working in Renault’s simulator ahead of his comeback and his comments have tallied with those from Ocon and Daniel Ricciardo. “Of course having three drivers giving feedback is a clear confirmation for the team,” said Ocon.
“Having two is already a good thing. But when you have three, there’s no question, you have to go [in] that direction. It’s been good to have his opinion, as well, on things. But overall, we look all pretty lined-up in our opinions.”
Ocon expects he will be able to learn a lot from his highly successful new team mate. “We had meetings last week where he was present. He tested the car in Barcelona. So he’s getting there, he’s having more and more preparation.
“And for sure having a guy like Fernando who has a lot of experience, it’s going to be very interesting to see what he brings to the team. Of course I can always learn from from legends like that.”
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HUHHII (@huhhii)
22nd October 2020, 17:17
I mean if Samurai wisdoms count as a “useful feedback” then yeah, I guess…
Rodber
22nd October 2020, 17:24
“I am quicker than my team mate Ocon.”
“I am worth three tenths.”
“Ocon will crash just as I enter the pitlane.”
Only Facts!
22nd October 2020, 20:34
Not so sure Alonso will put 2 or 3 tenths over Ocon after the comeback.
But if he does, Ocon can kiss goodbye to his future F1 star status.
Could not dominate Perez.
Beaten regularly by Ricciardo.
Defeated by a 40 y.o. coming back from retirement? That will say a lot.
Ok, it’s Alonso…but if you cannot defeat a former champion that’s passed his prime, how can you be expected to defeat Verstappen, Leclerc, Ricciardo and Norris?
anon
22nd October 2020, 21:36
Of course, that does then raise the inevitable question of “how do you know that Alonso is past his prime?”.
Captain Pie (@captainpie)
22nd October 2020, 22:35
Alonso will never be past his prime. He’s like a Duracell battery!
Tomcat173 (@tomcat173)
23rd October 2020, 6:47
Isn’t it a win win situation for Ocon?
If Alonso is quicker than him, its understandable because he’s been beaten by a double world champion that everyone rates. Then if Ocon beats Alonso, he’s beaten an F1 legend. Granted he can’t lose for too long in the former situation.
It could be like Rosberg and Schumacher a few years back at Mercedes. Everyone thought Rosberg would be done, but he ended up being better than Schumi when he made his comeback.
Michael A.
23rd October 2020, 8:00
@captainpie Duracell batteries are known to leak and run down quickly these days!
NS Biker (@rekibsn)
23rd October 2020, 3:33
Unfortunate that we have to wait till next spring.
With all of the changes coming, going to be an exciting time.
Balue (@balue)
23rd October 2020, 8:06
Ocon sounds almost overly positive with this and Alonso’s simulator/setup contribution. Seems he is very careful about being on good terms with his new team mate, but I guess he’s learned the hard way before with Perez, and shown the way with Ricciardo.