The Miami Formula 1 Grand Prix arrives next weekend with some changes in the regulations. Esteban Ocon, Haas driver, acknowledged progress but indicated that there are still clear limitations in the current package.
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The changes promoted by the FIA include adjustments in the qualifying session, energy usage, and the so-called ‘super-clipping’. Even so, the Frenchman’s analysis is that the scenario can only be accurately assessed when the cars are on the track in real conditions.
Ocon highlighted that the first signs are positive, although incomplete: “We need to wait and see in practice how this will be. The differences seem to be going in the right direction, reducing ‘lift and coast’ and some strange driving styles,” he said. Still, he pointed out that the drivers remain limited: “We still can’t drive exactly as would be fastest in the corners, because we lose on the straights,” he added.
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He also commented on specific gains brought by the changes, such as the new procedure for preparing fast laps. According to Ocon, the automatic system before laps in the qualifying session eliminates the need to reduce the pace so much before starting the fast lap attempt: “Now we can better prepare the last corner and start the lap, as it was before,” he added.
Despite the progress, Ocon believes the process is far from complete. He sees these changes as a first step but expects further developments throughout the season. For the Frenchman, the direction is correct, but the regulations have not yet reached the ideal balance desired by the drivers.
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