Ocon hoped conditions would worsen after 'lap of the season' in Q1

Renault's Esteban Ocon was hoping the heavens would unleash a deluge over Istanbul Park on Saturday afternoon after he briefly topped Q1 thanks to "the lap of the season".

Ocon found himself at the top of the timesheet at the start of qualifying, but worsening conditions compelled FIA race director Michael Masi to red flag the session.

The Frenchman admitted to hoping for "thunderstorms, tsunamis, whatever" during the pause, in which case he would have remained at the head of the pack.

Alas for the Renault charger, the elements let up and the session resumed.

"I felt like I did the lap of the season there, so it’s a shame to only be seventh," Ocon said. "I think there was an opportunity to be well in the top five but that’s how it is.

"It was pretty tricky out there in very slippery conditions. It was maybe the most slippery conditions I’ve ever driven, but it’s the same for everyone and we tried to get the maximum out of the car."

Read also - Ricciardo: Istanbul conditions 'good' for fans, 'tricky' for drivers

Ocon reckoned his team's decision to run on intermediate tyres at the outset of Q3 was the wrong call.

"I felt we did well in Q1 and Q2, but not quite so good in Q3. We probably made the wrong decision to run Intermediates at the start instead of Wets as I felt we could have been in the top five.

"It was a good lap for seventh, but it was my only push lap on that set, so maybe with a few more laps, I could have been up there.

"There will be plenty of opportunities tomorrow. We don’t know about the weather yet, so let’s see."

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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.