Ericsson feeling more 'comfortable' thanks to new approach

40

Marcus Ericsson secured his fourth points-scoring finish of the season at Spa, the Sauber driver putting the performance partly down to a different approach to his race weekend.

From P13 on Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix grid, the Swedish driver avoided the first corner mayhem that spectacularly took out team mate Charles Leclerc.

Ericsson drove a solid race thereafter, crossing the checkered flag in tenth position as he delivered to Sauber and to himself a third top-10 finish in five races that provided a good start to what he hopes will be a productive second part of the 2018 season.

"I’m a second half of the year type of guy!" he said after Sunday's race.

"For some reason I’m always strong in the second half, but I had a good summer break and I’ve been analysing the first half.

Big hit to Leclerc's halo convincingly validates its purpose

"I tried to go into this weekend with a bit of a different approach, trying to focus even more on myself and sort of feel the car more and I’ve been really focusing on that and my feeling when I’m driving.

"It felt like all weekend I was more comfortable in the car than I have been for a long time. All weekend I’ve been really strong, I’ve been really on the pace both on Friday and even on Saturday in qualifying.

"It was a shame I couldn't get the second run in Q2 because then I think we could have been ahead of the Toro Rossos, because Q1 was really strong. But all weekend was really, really strong."

Racing alongside the mercurial Leclerc leads to the inevitable comparison, but Ericsson feels he's held his own lately against a driver seen as one of the sport's future mega stars.

"Compared to Charles, which is the easy comparison that everyone makes, and I think me and Charles this weekend were very closely matched.

"That’s the objective for me, to take the fight to him, and I think I did a good job there. I need to continue that in Monza next week."

Indeed, sustaining his performance in the upcoming races will likely be an important factor in deciding Ericsson's future, which the 27-year-old hopes will be with Sauber for a fifth season.

"It’s very important and I think this time of the year is going to be critical," he said.

"But I just look at it now, in the last five races I scored points in three of them and scored double the points of my team mate in the last five races.

"I think that’s a good statistic that’s important to show to Fred and [the team] as well to see that I’m making a difference.

"So I need to continue that and continue that form because it’s going to be critical for me getting a contract for next year."

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.