Upgraded Renault engine will "surprise" people - Ocon

Renault third driver Esteban Ocon says people will be 'surprised' by the step forward the manufacturer has made with its upgraded Formula 1 engine, following its first test on Tuesday.

Esteban Ocon, Third Driver, Renault Sport F1 Team

The Frenchman gave the new power unit its first laps during the morning for the works team and managed to complete 105 laps to show that it was reliable too.

And with Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull having praised the progress Renault had made as he too evaluated it, Ocon was even more upbeat about what he had experienced.

"You will be surprised," he said about the developments. "It is really good. Really good. I can tell it will be quicker for sure."

When asked by Motorsport.com if the improvement was enough to be felt from the cockpit, he said: "You can – a little. I only drove a little in FP1 [in Spain], but you can still. It is noticeable."

He added: "For sure you don't push it 100 percent in the test. But overall the reliability was good. We didn't have any problem. We did 105 laps. So it is a really good debut and a really good start."

Mercedes excitement

Ocon has a unique opportunity to follow up his day's running with Renault with a Mercedes test on Wednesday.

He admitted that the prospect of driving the benchmark F1 car was one that excited him greatly.

"There is a lot to learn definitely driving for the team that is leading the driver and manufacturer championship," he said. "It will be full of info for me.

"I will have mega eyes open and checking everything I can. It is a big opportunity definitely. But here [at Renault] they have been winning titles and races not so long ago. Both teams are great. I am learning a lot and enjoying my time."