Esteban Ocon says he’s targeting a maiden Formula 1 podium finish in Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix after securing third on the grid marking his best qualifying session of his F1 career so far.
The Frenchman advanced into Q3 by just 0.002s then managed fifth in Q3. The Red Bull duo qualified in second and third but will both receive large grid penalties meaning Ocon will line-up third.
Ocon’s previous best qualifying was seventh in Baku. Team-mate Sergio Perez, who Ocon collided with twice at Spa, could only manage 11th.
“It’s amazing,” said Ocon. “That’s what the team deserves, they work so hard on every aspect. To get that P3 is something amazing.
“The car was brilliant today, a perfect balance, and I managed to push it to the limit. Now we have to keep P3 in the race – I want my podium!
“I adjusted the car [for the conditions] but it will work in the dry like it did on Friday, so starting from there we have a big opportunity ahead and we need to keep our head down to get it.
“I’ve been growing up with the rain and it’s fantastic to see that in a Formula 1 car I can still manage to do good stuff.
“The team have put so much effort to get those results, and now we start third. I will go give them a big hug right now!”
Force India sits in fourth place in the constructors’ championship, 58 points ahead of main rival Williams, who have Lance Stroll starting on the front row for Sunday’s race.
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