Pierre Gasly repeated Ocon’s performance in the principality by being fourth fastest on a day when others didn’t get it right, although he was then demoted six places for impeding both Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen.
Ocon meanwhile didn’t have a perfect lap in Q3, but was still seventh fastest before gaining a spot on Sunday’s grid thanks to his team-mate’s penalty.
“It's awesome,” said Ocon when asked by Autosport about the car proving fourth fastest once again.
“If you were telling me that two races ago, I would not have believed it.
“Hats off to Viry and Enstone for the job they are doing, because those upgrades that we bring they clearly are making the difference at the moment.
“It is a confirming moment after Monaco that the car is clearly more alive, so we can be pleased.”
Ocon admitted that he hadn’t had the best outlap for his final run, which contributed to his Gasly deficit.
"We optimised super well all the qualifying, apart from my Q3 run really,” he explained.
"Probably the tyres were not in as good shape to start the lap as it was in all the other runs where we maximised, on the rear I didn't have as much of a good grip.
Source: Autosport