Esteban Ocon, Alpine’s Formula 1 driver, is disappointed on the least appreciation on his performance overshadowed by his team mate Fernando Alonso.
The Frenchman believes it is “strange” that not everyone appreciates his performance at F1 against former Formula 1 World Champion. He is expected to lead the team in 2023 season, following the departure of latter to Aston Martin.
Ocon is appreciated by his team, which has also extended its commitment with driver until the end of 2024. However, he is well versed with those outside his team, who fails to see his successes against odds.
The young Alpine driver believes that only Lewis Hamilton has done a better job than him as a team mate to the Alonso. He showed a strong form against Spaniard last year, marking maiden win at Hungary.
Ocon on his performance
Ocon spoke about his reputation within the paddock. He said: “I don’t read everything that is said about me. But I hope that when I do something good, it is reported as such, and that others can get an idea.
“But it is true that there are some people who say to me ‘ah, I didn’t notice your qualifying at Spa’, or ‘I forgot you won last year’. I admit that I find it a bit strange.
“In the end in qualifying, compared with Fernando, it is 9/7 to him. But I have a few more points in the standings (Ocon has 66 compared to Alonso’s 59). Last year, if we talk about qualifying, we finished the season in a draw: 11 to 11.
“If I look at Fernando’s career, the only team-mate at his level was Lewis. Everyone else has not done better than me.
“Personally I feel that I am doing a good job, yes. So it is a bit strange at times to see that on the outside there are those who perceive in a slightly different way.”
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Ocon laughed about the times when he was told that his career would be doomed in F1 against Alonso. However, he reckons that he has successfully stood against him and done a great job.
Ocon commented on dooms day predictions: “Yeah, I heard it too, but I’m still here, right?
“It is a nice comparison from where we started last year, both in qualifying and in the races. Fernando is very, very fast.
“I don’t think he has anything to prove to anyone. To those who say if I have learned from Fernando, I answer ‘certainly’. But I hope that he too could have learned something from me.”
