Cape Town - Esteban Ocon believes Force India are in for an intense
midfield battle against Haas and McLaren, and one that is unlikely to be
wrapped up before the Abu Dhabi GP.
Last Sunday Haas climbed from seventh to fifth in the
standings thanks to a fourth and fifth for Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen.
And while Force India also brought both cars home in their
points, their P6 and P7 only meant they closed the deficit to McLaren.
They, however, still dropped to seventh given Haas' points.
Ocon is expected this battle to rage throughout this season,
and reckons it is one that is only likely to be sorted out come the season
finale in Abu Dhabi.
"I mean those guys [Haas] were quick," he told the
official F1 website. "We’ll get them another time.
"I was quite happy for the team. The result, sixth and
seventh, and a good understanding as well with Checo towards the end on a
different strategy.
"We couldn’t get [Magnussen] at the end but we will
keep pushing at the next races. It’s definitely [a huge result].
"The gap in the middle championship in the
constructors' table is close. The fight is on and it will last all
season."