Yeah, we had a great start. We gained positions everywhere, and not just on the launch. Also, on the first and second laps, I managed to overtake Pierre, I managed to overtake a lot of cars, and it was fantastic.
That's one of the things we've worked on a lot, and so it was, it was good. Then, well, we got caught out by the safety car again, but we pitted before it came out, so we lost about ten seconds there.
Then, we chose the wrong tire. Uh, then, uh, and then... well, there's not much else to say. I think it was, it was a, yeah, long race. You're laughing about it now. I think so, yes, we are laughing about it, yeah.
Laura: Hello, I'm Laura Müller and I am the race engineer of Esteban Ocon.
Interviewer: Have you planned on doing this from the start?
L: I wanted to do motorsport, I wanted to do Formula 1, but [erm] what you exactly do there as job is something I of course did not know beforehand.
I: What's the most important thing here for you?
L: That there aren't always some screws in here because then my water bottle won't fit. [laughs]
I: That is - okay, so this has to be cleaned up before the weekend.
L: On top, this is mainly important for the race, but also for qualifying, to check timings and all that. And here below I normally got my data, and of course the data is very important, because otherwise i have to rely on the driver on what is happening with the car, and one likes to double-check with the data that all of [what the driver says] is true.
I: We often hear team radios that say 'Plan A, Plan B, Plan something', how many plans do you have for a race?
L: I believe there is rarely more than two or three. Like, other teams that sometimes say Plan Z just move the letters, I think. [Erm], but there is always one plan that is the best for when you drive alone, and then one that is best for when you are stuck in traffic or something like that, and then sometimes there is something crazy that you plan on trying when you are in P20 or something like that. But most of it is a dynamic reaction to what is happening.
I: How was your career up to here?
L: I have [erm] studied engineering in Bachelor, and then automative and engine engineering in Master. I believe it is quite straight-forward, what you are doing there. [laughs]
I: Communication is also a huge thing. I have already seen what is written on here, I reckon you press this one [the Esteban button] the most, right?
L: Nope. [laughs]
I: Nope?
L:: GreenEng (?) here is the one I press the most, I believe, because there I talk with the performance engineer, with all the bells and whistles, and [erm] I usually have more questions for them than Esteban has question for me. [laughs]
I: is it sometimes like, like sometimes one hears it is like that, that [Esteban] says "leave me be" and you actually give too much information?
L: Yeah, this is often when he is like fighting with someone, especially when he is trying to overtake someone, one says 'uhhh, 13 laps left' or something like that, and that then annoys them often.
I: Is this your only workplace?
L: Well, whenever the car drives, I am here, but whenever the car doesn't drive, I am usually not here. [laughs]
I: Okay, then let's see where else you stay.
L: This is our office. Many people sit here obviously.
I: Yes.
L: My place is there.
I: What are the skills you need the most, also in the communication with Esteban?
L: You have to always stay calm and know everything even before he asks about it. With drivers, as soon as you say 'Hm, okay, I gotta look that up real quick', then there is already always the doubt if what they are told is the right thing.
I: Okay.
L: This means that I usually always try to answer all questions in my head beforehand.
I: Is there a team you think would be your absolute dream? Like, the drivers always all wanna drive for Ferrari.
L: Just like the race engineers. [laughs]
I: Yes? [They] also wanna go to Ferrari?
Laura: Mh. [nods]
I: I believe Haas wouldn't really like to give her away, I reckon, but [erm], I would say, anyways, thank you very much for showing me what defines your job, because those hidden heroes are among the most important, especially for the drivers.
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