Renault Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon says he hopes a fresh power unit, gearbox and other components will lead to a “fresh start” at next weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.
Ocon returned to a Formula 1 race seat with Renault this year, having sat out the 2019 campaign, and conceded during the build-up to the Spanish Grand Prix that he was yet to reach his end-of-2018 performance level.
Ocon endured a dismal event in Spain as a bizarre practice crash was followed by finishing slowest in Q2, from which he took a lowly 13th in race trim.
“I feel that Spa is going to be a fresh start,” said Ocon, who made his Formula 1 debut for Manor at the circuit in 2016.
“There is going to be a new gearbox for me, a new engine, a lot of new parts as well because we are not happy with the performance difference between the cars.
“But hopefully that will make it closer, and hopefully it is going to be a fresh start for my side of the garage.”
Ocon is optimistic that the alterations will lift him closer to Renault team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
Ocon has yet to out-qualify the McLaren-bound driver this season in dry conditions, only finishing ahead in the rain-hit session in Styria.
“We are honestly changing the engine for the straight-line speed that I was lacking,” he said.
“But there are also other areas where I feel and we feel we were not competitive enough compared to the other side of the garage.
“We are going to change the parts and see if it makes a difference or not. But only time will tell. In my mind I believe yes.”
