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Martin Brundle on Esteban Ocon incident with teammate Pierre Gasly

Martin Brundle slams Esteban Ocon: 'can't keep attacking your teammate'

27 May at 20:30
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  • Toby Nixon
  • Editor

Esteban Ocon had a weekend to forget in Monaco. The Frenchman lunged down the inside of his teammate Pierre Gasly on the inside of Portier on the first lap, a move which was completely unneeded at that point of the Grand Prix. Ocon made contact with Gasly, which forced him up into the air. The damage was terminal for Ocon, who threw away a crucial chance for Alpine to score important points. Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle discussed the incident in his column and said that Ocon may have thrown away his F1 future due to the incident.

"Ocon is a fine and fast racing driver, but history clearly demonstrates that he has an irrational red mist when it comes to racing, particularly against his teammates," says the F1 veteran with 158 Grand Prix starts. "He has been heavily criticised before by Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso for his intra-team aggression and contact, and now Gasly too." Ocon has clashed with his teammates throughout his career. A trait which won't do him any favours.

Ocons mentality will 'cost him heavily', says Brundle

Brundle believes that Ocon's relationship with his teammates will alter his F1 future. "It will cost Esteban heavily as no front-running team would entertain that kind of mentality, or even perhaps any team. A driver represents hundreds of hard-working and professional people, and hundreds of millions of pounds of investment and sponsorship when driving for an F1 team. You simply can't keep attacking your one team-mate with abandon." Said Brundle

Is Ocon on Mercedes' radar?

It is not yet known where Esteban Ocon will be driving next year. The Frenchman is open to a move from Alpine to Mercedes. Mercedes still handles Ocon's management and he is also still a Mercedes junior. With an expiring contract and enough experience under his belt, he could be a solid short-term solution for the Silver Arrows, who are still yet to announce who will be driving alongside George Russell for 2025. Toto Wolff would ideally get Verstappen to Mercedes, but that seems unlikely in the short term. F2 driver and Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli is another option, but, is he ready for Formula 1 yet? The Frenchman will have to demonstrate some discipline in order to garner some interest from F1 teams to secure a seat next year.