Esteban Ocon is just days away from getting his first taste of racing on the iconic streets of Monaco. And he can hardly wait to get started.
"Driving in Monaco is going to be a new experience for me," said the Force India driver this week. "I’ve never raced there before.
"I used to come and watch the Formula 1 races when I was young, but I never had the opportunity to race there.
"It’s strange, because it’s such a famous lap and I know it so well in my head," he added. "But it’s always a different experience when you drive a track for real."
The 20-year-old, who hails from northern France, has done all he can to prepare fear the race short of actually getting out on track.
“To get ready for Monaco I’ve spent a lot of time in the simulator at our factory," he said. "But I still have a lot to learn during the practice sessions on Thursday.
"It’s a case of taking a step-by-step approach and getting to the limit gently. I normally enjoy street circuits, and I am sure I can get up-to-speed quickly.
“This year Monaco is the closest thing I have to a home Grand Prix because it’s next door to France," he pointed out. "It’s a very special place and I always feel a sense of history when I go there.
"The city is forever linked with Formula 1 and it’s currenly the number one race of the year.
"For the drivers it gives a big rush of adrenaline," he said. "It’s the same for the fans watching. Everybody knows it’s a big challenge.”
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