Ocon shrugs off Perez 'under pressure' claims

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Esteban Ocon answered team mate Sergio Perez's claims that he'll be racing under pressure next season with Force India.

While acknowledging Ocon's strong performance this year, Perez believes the Frenchman will be facing higher expectations in 2018, and therefore additional pressure.

But the 21-year-old brushed aside his team mate's assertion.

Perez expects the pressure to be on Ocon in 2018

"I feel alright if everyone is watching me for that, so people are expecting me to do well which is always positive," Ocon said.

"I don’t have more pressure, I will work the same way with the team with dedication and train the same way.

"I won’t change much, except that I’m a different driver now compared to the beginning of the year.

"I’ve been learning so much more which will help me at the start of the year like knowing the tracks – Australia, China, Monaco – all that will help me."

Ocon showed remarkable consistency all throughout the season, and finished the championship just 13 points behind the vastly more experienced Perez, an achievement Mr. 'Oconsistency' put down to, among other things, his attention to detail.

"You can’t let any details hang there. Any small issues, you can’t leave it," Ocon said.

"They will come back bigger, so any details you can fix, you have to fix. That is what I’ve learned this year and put into my performances."

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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.