Ex-driver critical of Ocon: 'Shows why Mercedes won't sign him'
F1 News
- Ludo van Denderen
Since his preventable accident with teammate Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon has been in the limelight in full force. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, not in a positive way. Even his future at Alpine is currently at stake. Giedo van der Garde, himself a former F1 driver and currently an analyst, is by no means a fan of Ocon, as he explains in the podcast DRS: The Race Show.
Esteban Ocon has recently been linked with Mercedes, in case Kimi Antonelli is not yet deemed good enough to debut with the Germans in '25. However, after the last GP weekend in Monaco, Van der Garde has to conclude: "Ocon has done well to show that he does not belong there [at Mercedes]."
Then the now completely retired from racing Van der Garde comes out with the observation: "He's fast too, but he's just a nasty guy. Can you remember what he did to Max back then?", the former Caterham driver wonders aloud, referring to the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix. That was when Ocon tapped leader Verstappen off the track.
'Ocon is not a team player'
Van der Garde continued: "Ocon is fast, he is good. Only, he is not a team player. He's a nasty little man at times. If that goes out, then he can become bigger. Only that will always be in there. In terms of talent, at speed he will definitely be able to keep up with a Mercedes. He will be able to challenge Russell at times. I'm convinced of that. Only he is not a team player, he is a difficult guy. He doesn't lie well in the team either. Then you're just hopeless."
Ocon is likely to have to leave Alpine after this season. "There is talk that he is flirting with Haas. Higher up I don't think it will be," Van der Garde concluded.