Esteban Ocon still deserves an F1 seat, says Formula 1 columnist

Ocon’s F1 story deserves another chapter

Esteban Ocon’s place on the Formula 1 grid next season may be uncertain, but his achievements continue to make a compelling case for a return. Formula 1 columnist Tremayne says it would be a disappointment if Ocon’s career at the sport’s highest level were already over.

Ocon became the 111th driver to win a Grand Prix when he triumphed in Hungary in 2021. It was an unusual race: every driver except Lewis Hamilton stopped for dry tyres at the end of the formation lap, leaving Ocon to fight through a chaotic contest and secure the biggest victory of his career.

The Frenchman’s performance was particularly significant because of the drivers he held off. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel pursued him to the finish, although Vettel’s Aston Martin was later disqualified. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was also among the rivals whose reaction added weight to Ocon’s achievement.

Ocon’s Alpine team-mate Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion, also offered a notable perspective on the result. The praise and comments from those three champions highlighted the difficulty of Ocon’s victory and the quality of the drive required to deliver it.

With his future still unresolved, Ocon’s supporters believe the Hungarian Grand Prix remains a reminder that he has the ability, resilience and racecraft to contribute at Formula 1 level. As Tremayne argues, the sport would be poorer if Ocon’s story ended before he had another opportunity to prove himself.