Esteban Ocon says he was a metre away from taking the lead of the Belgian Grand Prix on the opening lap. Ocon pulled alongside both Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton on the Kemmel Straight, but was forced to back off as the Ferrari man cut off his line on the inside into the Les Combes chicane.
Force India were the story of qualifying, Ocon and Sergio Perez locking out the second row in the wet, just two days after the team was actually permitted to race at Spa-Francorchamps following Lawrence Stroll's takeover and the 'Racing Point' side forced to start afresh.
Ocon came home sixth, behind teammate Perez, as Force India immediately jumped back above Williams into ninth place in the constructors' standings, having given up their points in order to re-enter the championship.
The Frenchman had sights set on something even greater at the start of the race, however.
"I had a good start, got on the inside at Turn 1 next to Seb," Ocon told Sky Sports. "He had better traction then. Maybe I was a bit overconfident there.