Since his preventable accident with teammate Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon has been within the limelight in full pressure. Sadly for the Frenchman, not in a optimistic manner. Even his future at Alpine is at present at stake. Giedo van der Garde, himself a former F1 driver and at present an analyst, is under no circumstances a fan of Ocon, as he explains within the podcast DRS: The Race Present.
Esteban Ocon has just lately been linked with Mercedes, in case Kimi Antonelli just isn’t but deemed ok to debut with the Germans in ’25. Nevertheless, after the final GP weekend in Monaco, Van der Garde has to conclude: “Ocon has finished nicely to indicate that he doesn’t belong there [at Mercedes].”
Then the now fully retired from racing Van der Garde comes out with the commentary: “He is quick too, however he is only a nasty man. Are you able to bear in mind what he did to Max again then?”, the previous Caterham driver wonders aloud, referring to the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix. That was when Ocon tapped chief Verstappen off the monitor.
‘Ocon just isn’t a group participant’
Van der Garde continued: “Ocon is quick, he’s good. Solely, he’s not a group participant. He is a nasty little man at instances. If that goes out, then he can develop into larger. Solely that may at all times be in there. When it comes to expertise, at pace he will certainly be capable of sustain with a Mercedes. He’ll be capable of problem Russell at instances. I am satisfied of that. Solely he’s not a group participant, he’s a tough man. He does not lie nicely within the group both. Then you definately’re simply hopeless.”
Ocon is more likely to have to go away Alpine after this season. “There may be discuss that he’s flirting with Haas. Greater up I do not suppose it will likely be,” Van der Garde concluded.
