Esteban Ocon returns to Q3 as Force India make "step forward"

Esteban Ocon made it into Q3 this afternoon after missing out in the final session over the past two weekends. He will start tomorrow's race from 10th place as the Frenchman believes Force India have made a "step forward".

The 21-year-old picked up eight points last time out in Austria as the pink panthers start to make gains on the fourth place battle in 2018.

Ocon out-qualified both Renault drivers as team-mate Perez finished just behind Nico Hulkenberg in 12th. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz finished down in 16th.

"We have made a step forward, and we can be satisfied with our performance gains, but we need to keep pushing," Ocon said in his Force India post-session report.

"We start tomorrow's race in the points already because we usually have better race pace compared to our single lap speed."

The Force India team deem Silverstone as their home race being based nearby. A lot of the team visit the garage over the weekend. And it's this team which continue to focus on the 'best of the rest' place.

"The middle of the field is so close at the moment so it's going to be a big battle tomorrow, especially with a Renault behind me and my teammate, Sergio, who will both be pushing hard," added Ocon.