Esteban Ocon "lacking so much pace" in Saudi Arabia qualifying disappointment
Esteban Ocon will start the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from 19th.
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images
Haas driver Esteban Ocon has addressed his early Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying exit. The Frenchman is set to start the race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit from 19th on the grid.
While speaking to Motorsport.com and other media following his Q1 exit in Saudi Arabia, Ocon explained that at this point they know very little about what is causing the car to struggle.
"Obviously, we were lacking so much pace that I had to try and do something. I don't think it would have changed a whole lot. I lost like 2.5 or 3 tenths, but 3 tenths would have brought me 17th instead of 19th. So, that wasn't really the issue," he commented.
"We've struggled a bit this weekend, clearly since the beginning, since FP1. So we need to try and keep on working with the team as we always do. I'm sure we'll come out on top of this tricky situation when we get them.
"We'll race the best way we can tomorrow and see if we can optimise the race."
When asked if the American-owned team knows what it is about the Jeddah Corniche Circuit that isn't suiting the Haas VF-25, Ocon explained that he had "just come out of the car so I need to keep looking."
Ocon, who is currently ninth in the drivers' standings with 14 points, was joined with a Q1 exit by Lance Stroll, Jack Doohan, Nico Hulkenberg, and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Watch: Was This as Magical a Pole as Max in Suzuka? Saudi Arabia GP Qualifying Report
Commenting on the race ahead of the weekend, the driver outlined the difficulties of the circuit.
"I think this track is one that's really demanding on the driver; it's so fast and there's so much grip, you need to get so close to the wall and that's how much time there is to gain - the closer to the wall, you're going to be gaining over a lap," Ocon said via the upcoming weekend's preview from the team.
"It's going to be extremely hot there, this year we get there much later than before - it's going to be around 40 degrees - so it's going to be a challenge for all of us and we need to be ready for the heat."
Photos from Saudi Arabian GP - Practice & Qualifying
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
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