Ocon hails 'massive step' forward in 2017

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Force India's Esteban Ocon believes his development as a driver has significantly moved forward in the first half of the 2017 season.

The talented French driver and Mercedes protégé kicked off his career in F1 at Spa last year with Manor. But the 20-year-old is already blossoming nicely at Force India for which he has scored points in ten of the eleven races so far this year.

A highly impressive feat for a young man hailed as a future star of Grand Prix racing.

"If you look at [the pace in] Australia there was a massive step until now," Ocon commented.

"In the first five races I was continuously improving, then the fine details is the rest that you need to improve and I'm starting to get this.

"This takes a bit more time obviously, and yes, I'm just learning all the time, and I will not lift off until I get my podium!"

Ocon: 'Without Wolff I'd be flipping burgers at McDonalds!'

Ocon will return to the scene of his milestone F1 debut at the end of the month, with only familiar venues following thereafter. But that doesn't mean there won't be much to learn.

"I'm quite happy with how the season went at the moment," he said.

"The target was to be scoring points in every race and that's what we're doing, [apart from] in Monaco where we were a bit unlucky.

"I feel more and more comfortable with the team each time I get into the car and with each race I do, and now I will start being on tracks I know, which helps me as well, which is good.

"I look forward to what the rest of the season brings, but at the moment I'm happy with what I've done."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.