Ocon impresses in Ferrari F1 test

European Formula 3 champion Esteban Ocon impressed Ferrari during a Formula 1 test at Fiorano on Wednesday, just a week after Lotus said he was exceptional.

As a prize for his title success this year, the Frenchman was given a day's running at Ferrari's test track in a four-year old F10. The head of Ferrari's Driver Academy Luca Baldisserri could not hide his delight at what he had seen.

"It's always very exciting for us engineers to be there when a young driver gets behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car for the first time," he said. "Even if we are used to working with rookies, it's a real surprise to see someone to take to the track, showing a level of professionalism as demonstrated by Esteban today.

"Despite it being his first time in one of our cars, he tackled the test without making any mistakes and was quick right from the start.

"It's not an easy task, especially on an emotional level, because I reckon that driving a Ferrari is a dream for anyone who wants to be a professional racing driver and we hope that today's good results are a good sign for his future."

Ocon earned great praise from Lotus last week after a test at Valencia in a 2012 car last week, his first experience of F1 machinery.