2019 left Ocon physically ’destroyed’
"It was very, very demanding"
Esteban Ocon has revealed that his schedule in 2019 left him physically "destroyed".
The Frenchman, who returns to the grid with Renault this year, was Mercedes’ reserve driver in 2019.
He says he was worked particularly hard.
"It was very, very demanding," said the 23-year-old.
"I sometimes did not sleep for two days and the travel I was doing was quite crazy."
Ocon said he was not merely on the bench in 2019, but constantly rushing between the simulator at Brackley to PR events and "wherever the car was driving".
"They used me well, but a lot," he smiled. "So after the testing in Abu Dhabi, I arrived at my training camp the lightest I’ve ever been. I was destroyed, basically, from the year."
However, he says he has recovered now.
"I’ve put on four and a half kilos of muscle, which is good in two months," he said.
Mercedes F1
Hopeful rookie on standby for two F1 teams
Wolff: We see the errors in it but we have something for Miami
2025 F1 ’silly season’ nearing boiling point
Perez admits pushing for two-year Red Bull deal
More on Mercedes F1
Alpine F1 Team - Renault
Uncle admits Mick Schumacher’s F1 dream may be ending
Gasly hopes Alpine inching out of F1 crisis
Fleeing McLaren chief on way to struggling Alpine - rumour
Alpine denies new Andretti F1 team buyout rumours
Alpine ’prepared’ to lose both drivers for 2025
More on Alpine F1 Team - Renault