F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Ocon handed fourth FP1 run with Renault in Germany

Esteban Ocon will drive for Renault again during the opening free practice session at this weekend's German Grand Prix.

The 19-year-old took part in his third FP1 session of the season for Renault at Budapest - following a couple of appearances in Barcelona and Silverstone - before carrying out two days of testing for Mercedes at the British Grand Prix venue.

Although he is part of the Mercedes driver program and contests this year’s DTM with the German manufacturer, Ocon is Renault's third and reserve driver and will again be in the R.S.16 at Hockenheim on Friday.

After driving Kevin Magnussen’s car in Hungary, the Frenchman will deputise for Jolyon Palmer in Germany.

Ocon has been tipped for a full-time role at Renault next year, but team principal Frédéric Vasseur insists no decision has been made regarding next year’s driver line-up.

“We are at that time of year when we are asked these questions, but the questions and the speculation often happen before any decision is made,” he said.

“What I can say is we have two good drivers, who are improving weekend after weekend. Let’s not forget that Jolyon is a rookie and that Kevin only had one year driving full-time at McLaren then a year not racing.

“They are both doing a strong, solid job and work very well within the team. I have a strong relationship with them both and they know what is expected of them. Within the team we are very happy together. We will make our decisions for 2017 in our own time.”

Scene at the 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix

Hungarian Grand Prix - Quotes of the week

Technical analysis - Budapest

DRIVER RATINGS: Hungarian Grand Prix

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

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Hamilton pins Madring pole miss on ‘dodgy set of tyres’

Lewis Hamilton had pole position within his grasp at the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix. Then,…

1 hour ago

Russell reveals what derailed his Madring Q3 charge

George Russell will start only sixth at the Spanish Grand Prix, a frustrating outcome after…

2 hours ago

Poleman Norris shocked by ‘one of the best laps of my career’

Lando Norris emerged from the inaugural qualifying session at Madrid’s Madring looking almost as surprised…

2 hours ago

Spanish GP: Saturday's action in pictures

Lando Norris snatched a dramatic Spanish GP pole by just 0.011s from Kimi Antonelli, with…

3 hours ago

Spanish GP: Norris stuns - snatches pole from Antonelli!

Lando Norris unexpectedly snatched pole position from Kimi Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds in a…

3 hours ago

2026 Spanish Grand Prix - Qualifying Results

Full results from qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix at Monza, round 13 of the…

3 hours ago