Alonso sim work already benefitting Renault - Ocon

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Fernando Alonso is already hard at work preparing for his F1 return in 2021, but Esteban Ocon says Renault's new recruit is also contributing to the team's current program thanks to his simulator work.

Alonso was back in the saddle with Renault last week at Barcelona, sampling the French outfit's R.S.20 and getting acquainted with the French outfit's crews.

But the Spaniard is also spending a considerable amount of time at Enstone, sitting in on engineering debriefs and spending time in Renault's simulator conducting work on the this year's car.

“I have seen how keen he is, and he did send me a message that if we needed anything he would be there, no problem," said Ocon, quoted by Motorsport Week.

"It is good at the moment that he goes in the simulator. It is three opinions basically, because me and Daniel and him are all practicing on the simulator before going to the races.

"To have a good start for the weekend, and to have three confirmations, is better than two.

"So it is been good that recently he has been working closely with the simulator team, and I’m sure he will very soon come to the races."

Read also - Sainz: 'Very good time' for Alonso to return to F1

Renault is enjoying a solid season, having slowly but surely improved its 2020 contender thanks to a better overall understanding of the R.S.20's characteristics and a succession of small updates.

"Our understanding in terms of setup has increased massively since some events, and since Barcelona and Budapest, that is very clear," explained Ocon.

"We also had some updates that we managed to understand quite well and to make it work, because when you put the upgrades on sometimes you do not unlock the performance straightaway.

"But then you understand where it could work and where you could gain the performance, and that is what we have done.

"Overall with the package that we have, little parts by little parts, and the set up understanding that we have made, I think overall we are a lot stronger now."

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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.