Ocon: My target is to score points at every race

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All eyes will be on Esteban Ocon this season as he moves from the back of the Formula 1 field to the heart of the midfield with Force India, and admits he is targeting points at every grand prix this season.

After a solid start to his Force India career, with four days of in the car during testing in Barcelona, the young Frenchman told the official F1 website, "My personal target would be to score points at every race. That would be pretty cool."

"Melbourne is the place where everybody unleashes his machine, so we will see what the reality check is. I have a super feeling about the VJM10. The balance is right and the Mercedes engine is simply the best, also when it comes to reliability. So let’s see if I can trust my feelings."

Ocon arrived in Formula 1 last year, making his debut at the Belgian Grand Prix, competing in the next eight races, and clearly impressed enough for Force India to select him above many other highly rated candidates.

He reflected, "I am very happy. Starting my F1 career with Manor was already something great, and then at the end of the 2016 season I got that chance from Force India."

"That means an amazing opportunity for me: as a young driver to join a successful team and alongside Checo Perez, who is very experienced. That is simply fantastic."

Force India impressed last year with a consistent season which saw them finish fourth in the championship standings on a relatively minuscule budget compared to the big teams.

Ocon is convinced that his induction to the Vijay Mallya owned race team has been ideal, "I had a good preparation with them over the winter. We had two months to prepare for the season, so I did a lot of training and in between did some simulator work and some briefing with the team."

"I met everyone in the team - everybody, also including the aero department, to find out who was doing what and is responsible for what. I have to confess I don’t know all the names now as it is a bigger team than Manor, but I am working hard on it!"

At the same time the lanky 20 year old knows what is expected of him, "I have to deliver straight away. The team wants me to replace Nico [Hulkenberg] - and that includes results. So no time to get up to speed - I have to get up to speed straight away.'

"Hence the good preparation with the team over the winter. In the end results translate into more funds - and that means a better, faster car. It is that simple," added Ocon.