F1 | Force India, Szafnauer (operations director): “We expect Ocon to fight on an equal footing with Perez”

Force India expects a high performance from the Frenchman Esteban Ocon, a talent from the Mercedes school who will have the difficult task of replacing an esteemed driver like Nico Hulkenberg. Otmar Szafnauer, chief operating officer of the Silverstone-based team, explained that the team expects rapid progress from the Frenchman, in order to see him fight in the points on par with a mastiff like Sergio Perez.

"We trust that Esteban can grow quickly, this is one of the reasons why we chose him, a very fast learning curve - said Force India's chief operating officer - We will tell him how the car drives and we expect him to be able to fight on equal terms with Perez, and finish in the points, because we need two drivers who both get championship points. We know that replacing an experienced and fast driver like Hulkenberg is a difficult task and a great responsibility, but we believe that Ocon has all the qualities to do it. Let's hope he can grow quickly and finish in the points immediately. It's a big challenge for him, but the fact that the cars are a bit new for everyone could also help him settle in a little.".