Abu Dhabi GP: Esteban Ocon encouraged by practice speed

Frenchman Ocon, who beat Red Bull prodigy Max Verstappen to this year's European F3 crown, took over the Lotus normally raced by Romain Grosjean for the first free practice session for Sunday's Yas Marina F1 race.

Ocon completed 29 laps and set the 16th fastest time in the 20-car field, ending up 0.255 seconds slower than regular driver Pastor Maldonado, who was 15th fastest.

The team called Ocon "exceptional" when he first drove a 2012 Lotus F1 car recently, and the teenager said the team was happy with the job he did on his first run in contemporary F1 machinery.

"From what I know they [the team] were really happy once again," said Ocon, who reckoned managing the power delivery from the V6 hybrid turbo engine was the biggest driving challenge.

"They were saying I gave great feedback and everything, so when they are happy I'm happy.

"I had to adapt from a 2012 car because it's really different - the driving style is different and there are a lot more buttons on the steering wheel that you have to change during driving.

"The first run wasn't easy, but it felt much easier in the second run.

"It's more difficult [than a 2012 car]. There is less grip in the corners, it is faster in the straight, so it makes things much harder.

"I adapted quickly and still at the end there was some margin, so I think the pace was quite good."

Ocon, who will be a Lotus reserve driver in 2015, said he did not yet know whether that role would incorporate driving duties at GP weekends.

"Unfortunately I have no idea what is the plan," he added.

"I know I will be a third driver, but they will decide and I don't know what they will want me to do next year.

"I hope after Tuesday's test they will give me another chance [to drive]."