After qualifying 18th in Zandvoort, Esteban Ocon earned some hard-earned points on Sunday at the F1 Dutch GP after finishing P10; both he and his teammate finished in the points for Haas after starting from the back of the grid.
While a poorly timed second safety car cost him track position, the Frenchman highlighted the importance of preparation and praised both his teammate and fellow countryman Isack Hadjar, who impressed with a podium finish.
Focus on Saturday’s
Despite the odds being against them, Ocon successfully turned a poor starting position into a positive outcome—something that’s far from guaranteed in races like these. Despite the result, the Frenchman critiqued qualifying for the team; starting from the back of the grid doesn’t always guarantee a points finish.
“We need to make our Saturdays a bit better, definitely, because we started last, both of us,” he noted.
“Ollie started in the pit lane because he changed the PU, but we were both last on the grid. So if only we could have started a little bit further up, that could make our weekends a bit easier. So that’s the focus for the next race.”
Teamwork paid off
While the safety car interruption was unfortunate for many, it can play a part in shuffling the grid in unexpected forms. Ocon was quick to dismiss any suggestion that his points finish was down to luck, emphasizing the team’s calculated strategy and execution throughout the race.
“No, I don’t think it was getting lucky,” he said in the print media pen.
Instead of scrambling mid-race, the team committed to a pre-race strategy that paid off despite the unpredictability; he praised the collective mindset of the team, noting how they worked in tandem during key moments.
Both the French and British drivers went long, very long on hards without stopping. It paid off.
“We really did our homework—that’s the most important. We believed in our strategy before the race and stuck to it. We worked together as a team, especially with the DRS. At one point, I even slowed down a bit so Ollie could regain DRS. That teamwork really paid off.”
Praise for Hadjar
He also extended his praise to fellow Frenchman and podium finisher Isack Hadjar, who delivered a standout performance over the weekend.
“He’s doing a super good job,” Ocon said. “He’s ready to perform, and he’s been overperforming the car at times. Big respect for him, well done.”
