Hungarian GP: Esteban Ocon delighted with P5 in qualifying

Esteban Ocon was suitably very pleased with his P5 in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon.

The Frenchman comes into race day as the most recent winner of the Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, with him sealing a first-ever F1 victory at the same circuit in 2021 after what was a hugely entertaining race.

He’d love a similar result this afternoon, of course, but will probably need similar levels of things falling his way in front of him at lights out, though from P5 he is nicely placed to try and score some very good points for Alpine alongside Fernando Alonso in the other car who goes from P6.

Reflecting on qualifying in the media pen here at the Hungaroring after the race, the Frenchman had this to say:

“[I’m] very pleased.

“I think it was a nice to build up to the qualifying session, the car was feeling more and more alive after each run and I was getting more and more grip.

“It’s been difficult but we’ve made it on the maximum we could have done, there could have been a bit more on my lap but not enough to get to Lando, I think they had a bit more pace than us today so let’s see what we can do [in the race.]”

Ocon is clearly brimming with confidence when it comes to the Hungaroring and he’ll be looking to try and convert that into another positive result come the chequered flag.

Alpine’s fight with McLaren in the Constructors’ championship is also tasty, and with one McLaren in front of them on the grid and one behind them, that is going to provide an interesting sub-plot to the overall Grand Prix this afternoon.

Lights out is at 2pm UK time.