Esteban Ocon: "My head goes to blow up" with all the brand new data F1 2026 calls for

This Friday marked the primary day of apply for a grand prix weekend within the 2026 Components 1 season. With the quite a few adjustments launched by the brand new laws, significantly in the best way these vehicles are pushed, the strategy to free apply is totally different from earlier seasons.

Nevertheless, since that is the primary race underneath the brand new guidelines, many facets stay unclear for the groups. When requested about his first Friday of the 2026 season, which on paper appeared to go easily with a tenth and eleventh place within the two apply periods, Esteban Ocon admitted that, regardless of 9 days of winter testing, there’s nonetheless a really lengthy listing of issues to study.

“[There is] lots happening,” stated the Frenchman with a smile. “There’s a number of particulars and issues. To be sincere, my head goes to blow up proper now with how a lot data there’s. Its lots to take, however that is what we have now to do as drivers.

“It has been fascinating to go on a distinct monitor to see how the automobile feels. By way of steadiness, its been right here and there just about, with little element with want to enhance once more.”

Esteban Ocon (Haas)

Picture by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures

One of many main challenges at the beginning of this season can be how groups and drivers handle the brand new power administration system. Vitality deployment will play an important position in each the race and qualifying, and will probably be decisive within the pursuit of efficiency and outcomes on Sunday.

But, regardless of the elevated significance of sure facets, Ocon reminded that groups and drivers can not lose sight of the basics of a weekend’s preparation.

“Fortunately, our automobile feels okay by way of steadiness,” the Haas driver defined. “There are little particulars to repair, however we’re not miles off. If it has been final 12 months’s automobile, it might have been very totally different and way more troublesome.

“So, we have now a bit extra room to play with, or specializing in one factor which is sort of good. However we nonetheless cannot neglect the remainder you recognize. Feeling comfy within the automobile, getting most grip with the tires. So we have to concentrate on the fundamentals actually.”

Whereas eager to spotlight the positives from the primary day of operating in Australia, Ocon admitted that his staff nonetheless had room to enhance in different one key areas.

“However by way of power supply, that is the place we have to clearly optimise much more,” he added. “There’s lots to realize on that facet and its not straightforward to drive round in the intervening time. So, that is all going to be up [for] grabs, if we handle to maximise with the engineers and with the driving as effectively. We’ll see the way it goes tomorrow.”

Ocon tempers optimism round Haas

On the identical time final 12 months, Haas found with dismay the issues of its VF-25, which left it far behind its rivals. The storm has lengthy since handed, and this season’s begin appears way more promising, however Ocon nonetheless prefers to mood expectations.

“It is solely Friday although,” he identified. “It is the primary day. The circumstances are nice, blue sky, yesterday there was a little bit of wind however not an excessive amount of. Let’s wait and see. Let’s do a number of extra tracks within the 12 months and see. Let’s go into tomorrow first and lets’ see how that goes.”

Images from Australian GP – Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren