Esteban Ocon’s declaration that he could battle Max Verstappen if they had the same car is making waves again. However, following his 2018 crash with Verstappen in Brazil, it seems unlikely Red Bull will be calling him up anytime soon.
Ocon recently announced he’s parting ways with Alpine after this season, ending a five-year stint with the team. Despite a race win at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, his future in Formula 1 is uncertain. In the interim, Ocon remains focused on finishing the season strong. “I will announce my plans very soon,” he said, emphasizing his current commitment to Alpine.
Ocon’s confidence in his abilities hasn’t waned. He believes he could compete with Verstappen in equal machinery. “Sure, I see myself fighting with Verstappen, fighting for a World Championship if we had the same car,” he stated. He acknowledged Verstappen’s dominance with Red Bull but remains unfazed. “I don’t care which driver it was. I want to fight for the championship. I have always believed in myself. We have a long road ahead of us, but my goal is to be World Champion, nothing more.”
Yet, considering their history, Ocon shouldn’t expect a call from Red Bull. The memory of the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix, where Ocon collided with Verstappen, costing him the win, still lingers. The incident led to a heated confrontation where Verstappen shoved Ocon multiple times in the FIA garage, resulting in a two-day community service punishment for Verstappen.
This episode likely influences Red Bull’s current driver strategy. The team appears set to extend Sergio Perez’s contract as Verstappen’s teammate, maintaining harmony within the squad. Red Bull’s priority is clear: avoid internal clashes and ensure their drivers don’t take points from each other. Ocon’s willingness to race teammates aggressively, shown as recently as Monaco, further diminishes his chances of a Red Bull seat.
As Esteban Ocon navigates his future in Formula 1, his ambition to challenge Max Verstappen remains undeterred. However, given their past clashes, a Red Bull seat seems out of reach. For now, Ocon aims to finish strong with Alpine and looks forward to new opportunities.
Source: Planetf1
