Ocon gives fitness update after Hungary crash

Alpine's Esteban Ocon has said he is fit and ready to race in this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, just one week after an accident saw his seat broken in two.

Starting from 12th in the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ocon was hit from behind at Turn 1 by Daniel Ricciardo, who had himself been hit by Zhou Guanyu, with the impact sending Ocon off the ground and into the side of teammate Pierre Gasly’s A523.

Both Alpines sustained sufficient damage to force them both out of the race and saw Ocon's seat split in two, though the Frenchman proclaimed himself fit to drive in this week's race at Spa-Francorchamps.

"It's been quite a short period between the incident and getting back on track, but I will be okay to race this weekend," Ocon told media, including RacingNews365.com.

Ocon hopeful of better Alpine showing at Spa

The race in Hungary was Alpine's second double DNF in a row, and the French squad now sit sixth in the Constructors' Championship, having been overtaken by a resurgent McLaren in recent weeks.

A behind-the-scenes shake up last week also saw CEO Laurent Rossi leave his post to be replaced by Philippe Krief, and Ocon noted that recent below-par performances made it important for the team to show well at Spa, the last race before F1's four-week summer break.

"Obviously, we are not where we want to be," said Ocon.

"We know what we have to do. We know where we have to progress and we are bringing some new parts to the car this weekend.

"Hopefully, that's going to bring us closer to the top ten, to be able to score.

"It's going to be important for us to have a good one before the summer break so we can all go on holiday with a clear mind."