Esteban Ocon’s career in Formula 1 has been marked by a series of unfortunate choices, with stints at struggling teams such as Manor, Force India, Renault, Alpine, and now Haas. However, the French driver hasn’t given up hope of securing a spot with a top-tier team.
In this regard, Max Verstappen, who is a year younger, serves as a shining example. “Max has achieved what every driver dreams of and what I still aspire to,” says Ocon.
Ocon has maintained a love-hate relationship with Verstappen for years. The two have frequently clashed in the past. The incident in Brazil 2018 is well-known, when an enraged Verstappen shoved his French rival after he had unnecessarily obstructed him on the track. Despite their strained relationship in the past, Ocon admits that there are indeed certain similarities between the two.
“That’s true. We have taken different paths, but there are also quite a few similarities. For instance, the way our parents have supported us from a young age. Consider the way both my father and Max’s father were involved in the technical aspect of karting. On the track, Max and I both enjoy a fierce style of racing. I have always enjoyed our battles on the track. When you encounter Max, you know it’s going to be a tough fight, and I appreciate that. As individuals, Max and I are quite different, without going into details,” says Esteban Ocon.
