Thursday 23rd October
Lotus F1 Team Junior driver Esteban Ocon has completed his two-day test for Lotus F1 Team at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo accumulating over 650 kilometres in the two year-old Lotus F1 Team E20 over the course of the last two days, October 22-23.
Esteban is conducting this test as part of the Lotus F1 Team Junior programme and as a reward for winning the FIA Formula 3 Championship in his rookie season. He impressed the Lotus F1 Team engineers present with his application, feedback and pace.
Esteban Ocon:
“The test driving the Lotus F1 Team E20 went really well. I had to adapt to the car quite rapidly which I did very well. I felt comfortable with the team straight away and the same with the E20. The word I’d use to describe the feeling of driving an F1 car is that it is just quicker. The car was easy to drive, stable and very enjoyable; it is a great car. I’m really happy with this two-day test and I hope to the get the opportunity to jump into the F1 car again soon.”
Alan Permane, Trackside Operations Director, Lotus F1 Team:
“Esteban drove exceptionally well over the course of the last two days, completing every task we asked of him. It’s clear he has a lot of talent as he was quickly up to speed and looked comfortable in the car. His feedback and aptitude were very promising. I’m sure we will see him in an F1 car again before too long.”