After the 2018 Brazilian GP, Esteban Ocon is approached by Max Verstappen for a confrontation.
Esteban Ocon may believe he can fight Max Verstappen in the “same car” but he shouldn’t expect a call from Red Bull after his Brazil 2018 crash, and subsequent clash, with the reigning World Champion.
At present, Ocon is facing a situation where he does not have a drive in F1 2025. He and Alpine have mutually agreed to separate ways at the conclusion of this season.
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“I will announce my plans very soon,” Ocon said in the press release, “but in the meantime, my full focus is on delivering on track for this team and having a successful remainder of the season.”
Their five-year relationship, which resulted in Ocon’s one race victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, comes to a close with this announcement.
He is now pondering about what the future holds for tomorrow.
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In the future, as per his 2023 DAZN quotes, Ocon envisions himself as a World Champion and is confident enough to challenge Verstappen in identical cars.
He expressed his aspiration, stating, “In an equal car, I envision myself engaged in fierce competition against Verstappen, vying for the World Championship. Presently, Max is exhibiting exceptional performance, showcasing his dominance with Red Bull.”
“I am unconcerned about identifying the specific driver responsible. My focus is on contending for the championship. I have always possessed unwavering belief in my abilities.”
“My sole ambition is to become the World Champion, despite the challenging journey that lies ahead.”
However, it’s safe to say Ocon shouldn’t expect a phone call from either Christian Horner or Helmut Marko.
Two big reasons Red Bull are unlike to call Esteban Ocon
To begin with, Ocon stands out as the sole driver on the current grid who has managed to provoke Verstappen to the point where he resorted to physical confrontation.
After the intense 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix, the Dutchman forcefully pushed the Frenchman due to the heated situation. Ocon had caused him to lose the victory by colliding with the Red Bull driver, who had been leading the race. Ocon attempted to pass him on the inside of Turn 2 in an attempt to unlap himself.
After a heated altercation during the driver weigh-in at the FIA garage, Verstappen engaged in physical contact by repeatedly pushing Ocon in the chest. As a consequence of his unsportsmanlike behavior, Verstappen was sanctioned with two days of community service.
Considering this, it is not surprising that Red Bull is rumored to be waiting for Perez’s latest contract extension to be finalized before officially announcing him as Verstappen’s teammate for the 2025 F1 season.
The team possesses a distinct top driver and is determined to avoid any disruptions or, worse, incidents where their drivers collide or hinder each other’s performance.
As evident from his recent performance in Monaco, Ocon has proven that he is not hesitant to engage in close wheel-to-wheel battles with his teammate.
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