Bahrain Grand Prix: Esteban Ocon equals unwanted record with three driving penalties before retiring

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon endured a depressing Sunday on the Sakhir circuit after being penalized for 3 driving violations in a single race; he equaled the mark beforehand set by Pastor Maldonado on the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix

Esteban Ocon equaled an undesirable document on the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix after being penalized 3 times for infractions by the stewards.

The Alpine driver was first penalized for an inaccurate beginning place, then obtained one other penalty for not serving that penalty correctly throughout a pit cease, adopted by a 3rd dashing violation within the pit lane.

He equaled three driving penalties in a race set by Pastor Maldonado on the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix, after which Ocon was unable to clarify what occurred.

“We have been too far forward on the grid – that was very clear,” Ocon stated. “I do not need to go into particulars, however typically we’re excellent in any respect these operational issues.

“What we did as we speak, we did it the identical means I did for the previous 5 years, however as we speak is totally different.

“Now we have to analyse, now we have to see what occurred and are available again stronger.”

Lotus driver Pastor Maldonado picked up three driving penalties on the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix

Ocon had certified ninth for the opening race of the 2023 Method 1 season, however was defeated on the grid when he was judged by the stewards to have lined up along with his entrance proper tire on the exterior the beginning field and obtained a five-second penalty.

Then, whereas serving that within the pit lane, the Frenchman was hit with one other penalty for a mechanic beginning to work on his automobile with 4.6 seconds of the 5 seconds elapsed, leading to a 10-second penalty.

To complicate issues, Ocon was handed a further five-second penalty for exceeding the 80kph pace restrict within the pit lane by 0.1kph, with a very depressing day capped off by the compelled retirement on the forty first lap on account of a mechanical drawback.

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Highlights from the 2023 F1 season opener on the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The final time a racer was penalized for 3 driving offenses got here eight years in the past when Lotus driver Maldonado was punished for a collision with Sergio Perez and dashing within the pit lane, adopted by 10 seconds added to his general race time for passing below a security. automobile.

Regardless of an unforgettable begin to the yr, Ocon was inspired by the efficiency of alpine team-mate Pierre Gasly, who secured two factors for the Enstone-based group with a ninth-place end.

“It is a missed likelihood as we speak and we may have been within the factors so we’ll come again stronger,” Ocon stated.

“We have been as quick because the Ferrari in that final stint. That could possibly be very encouraging.”