Renault Formula One driver Esteban Ocon searches for 'positive energy' at Renault

Ocon

Ocon searches for 'positive energy' at Renault

Frenchman keen to avoid a repeat of Racing Point inner team struggles

Sam Hall

Monday 17 February 2020 16:40

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Esteban Ocon is hoping that he can avoid any conflict with Daniel Ricciardo at Renault, the French driver having previously experienced a tense relationship with former teammate Sergio Perez at Racing Point.

During their two years together as teammates at Force India/Racing Point, Ocon and Perez came together on more than one occasion. Incidents in Azerbaijan, Belgium and Singapore highlighted the tensions that had grown throughout the duration of their partnership and, when Lawrence Stroll purchased the team, it was quickly evident that Ocon, who was out of contract with the team, would pay the price.

A move to Renault had almost been completed when Ricciardo shocked Red Bull by announcing that he would be leaving for Renault. This move put an end to Ocon's move but now, one year later, Ocon has replaced Nico Hulkenberg at the French manufacturer team and is hoping to avoid a repeat of any conflict within the team.

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“What happened at Force India is not something I want to redo again,” Ocon told Formula1.com. “It was not a nice atmosphere. We had respect - me and Checo - and it didn’t slow down the team or anything but the atmosphere between us was not so good.

"On track we came close too many times, that was clear, and that was not good. It’s not something I want to do again. The atmosphere is definitely a lot better between me and Daniel than it was with Checo.

“So if we can keep working like that, even though it’s going to be different on track, it’s going to be a lot better for everyone to have a positive energy and a great working environment.

"Hopefully we’re going to be solid on that topic and be able to push the team forward. But no, we don’t want to have that happening. Of course it can always happen at the start or something, but in a race like it happened it was not acceptable.”

Renault revealed only a few digital images of their 2020 entry, the R.S.20, at their launch, but the team completed their filming day in Barcelona on Monday, allowing a glimpse of the physical car for the first time.