F1: Lotus says Ocon "exceptional" in first test

Lotus said European Formula 3 champion Esteban Ocon performed "exceptionally" as he made his Formula 1 test debut in a 2012 car at Valencia.

Ocon, who is part of the Lotus F1 junior scheme, covered more than 150 laps and 400 miles over two days of running in the E20 on Wednesday and Thursday. The team's trackside operations director Alan Permane said Ocon had made a big impression.

"Esteban drove exceptionally well over the course of the last two days, completing every task we asked of him," said Permane. "It's clear he has a lot of talent as he was quickly up to speed and looked comfortable in the car. His feedback and aptitude were very promising. I'm sure we will see him in an F1 car again before too long."

Ocon is in line for some form of F1 role with Lotus in 2015. The 18-year-old Frenchman beat Tom Blomqvist and 2015 Toro Rosso F1 signing Max Verstappen to this year's European F3 title in his first year in the category.

"I had to adapt to the car quite rapidly, which I did very well," Ocon said of his Lotus test. "I felt comfortable with the team straight away and the same with the E20.

"The word I'd use to describe the feeling of driving an F1 car is that it is just quicker. The car was easy to drive, stable and very enjoyable; it is a great car.

"I'm really happy with this two-day test and I hope to the get the opportunity to jump into the F1 car again soon."