Esteban Ocon, the newest recruit of Haas F1 Team, has vehemently defended his track record, dismissing the notion that he’s a team-mate crasher as “absolute nonsense.” This reputation, he argues, is the product of media hype and bandwagoners.
Ocon’s move to Haas marks his fifth team switch and comes with a sixth new team-mate, Oliver Bearman. There’s no denying that Ocon’s journey has been turbulent, marred with clashes involving his previous four team-mates.
His peers have not been shy in expressing their frustrations. Sergio Perez, during their stint at Force India/Racing Point, branded Ocon as “unprofessional.” Fernando Alonso, at Alpine, took a swipe at him for “consistently battling against one car all year.” Following the infamous 2024 Monaco Grand Prix crash, Pierre Gasly was openly critical of Ocon’s on-track “behavior.”
Daniel Ricciardo, who partnered Ocon at Renault in 2020, didn’t mince his words after the Monaco incident: “I wasn’t surprised when it happened,” he said.
However, Ocon contends that this reputation is unjust and that incidents involving him have often been magnified. Speaking to Motorsport.com, he said, “I think things have probably been blown out of proportion at times.”
Ocon asserts that his focus has always been on working harmoniously with his team and team-mate to achieve the car’s potential, a feat he claims to have accomplished with Sergio, Daniel, Fernando, and Pierre. “Over time, the number of incidents has been very little,” he added.
Ocon further criticized the media’s tendency to sensationalize controversies. “As soon as there’s a headline, people like to jump on it,” he lamented.
Despite Ocon’s defense, his record at Force India/Racing Point, where five clashes with Sergio Perez were noted, is hard to ignore. Responding to this, Ocon admitted, “I do remember them all.” He stressed his commitment to avoiding contact with team-mates, attributing the incidents to close racing.
Ocon also reflected on his time with Fernando Alonso at Alpine and Pierre Gasly, acknowledging their battles but emphasizing their achievements. He spoke fondly of Alonso, praising his innovative thinking and driving skills. Regarding his relationship with Pierre, Ocon highlighted their mutual understanding and the unforgettable moments they shared, like the double podium in the wet in Brazil.
However, the Monaco Grand Prix incident with Gasly was a low point. Many speculated that this was the catalyst for Ocon’s departure from Alpine. Despite this, Ocon remains positive about their two seasons together, believing they maximized the car’s potential.
Looking to the future, Ocon has a fresh start with Haas and a new team-mate in Oliver Bearman. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu is optimistic about this partnership, believing it’s a marked improvement over their previous line-up of Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin in 2021.
Komatsu expressed confidence in Ocon and Bearman, stating, “They are two very, very good drivers. They have both got a lot more to prove.” With a new team and a new start, Ocon has the opportunity to redefine his reputation in the 2025 F1 season.