Under the weather Ocon may be in for a struggle

40

Esteban Ocon admits that yesterday's qualifying session was a veritable ordeal for the Force India driver who ran all day with a splitting migraine.

Although feeling ill, Ocon clocked in P7 in Q3, just beating to the spot team mate Sergio Perez. He'll launch his race today from P6 however as a result of Max Verstappen's grid drop.

"I had a migraine," Ocon told Motorsport.com. "So I had all the symptoms.

Where does Hamilton need to finish to clinch the title in Austin?

"I was shaking, and also then I took pills and my stomach was a bit upside down, so I was not feeling good at all. I've recovered a bit, but I'm not feeling 100 percent, let's say."

Ocon was forced to really push himself, enduring his toughest qualifying session ever.

"It was for sure the hardest session I've probably ever had, but anyway it's important to just keep pushing. Even if you feel s**t, you have to do the best you can.

"I'm pretty happy to be starting sixth, it was a good job by the team, and hopefully we can keep it going."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.