Annoyed Ocon rues missed qualifying opportunity

Esteban Ocon (FRA) Sahara Force India
© XPB 

Force India's Esteban Ocon was visibly unhappy at the end of his Saturday evening qualifying run in Abu Dhabi which leaves him P9 on tomorrow's grid.

A top ten result has been the norm for Ocon and his team this season, but the Frenchman still rued a missed opportunity to do better than ninth, whereas team mate Sergio Perez ended his session eighth.

"I had the pace to go P7 definitely," said a clearly annoyed Ocon.

"For different reasons we are not there, but it's okay. It’s only Saturday and the race is what really counts. I want to make a good start, jump ahead of a few cars and end the season with a strong result."

omorrow I can do a good start and maybe jump them so we'll see."

Oddly, Ocon was mum on why he felt frustrated by his result, but Sky F1 alluded to a possible on-track encounter with Valtteri Bottas which may have impeded the Force India driver and drawn his ire.

"I'm not going to tell the reason, it's going to stay inside but it's a reason we have to solve so it doesn't happen anymore."

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