Esteban Ocon's Potential: A Shift in Formula One's Power Dynamics
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Esteban Ocon has been a solid driver in the Formula One midfield for a while now. The Frenchman is a consistent point scorer and a massive team asset. Yet, Ocon hasn’t had the chance to show how he can perform in a top team. The news has broken that Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025. This may leave an opportunity for Ocon to step up.
The Career Of Esteban Ocon
Ocon has been in F1 for many years and has achieved a fair bit in the sport. The 27-year-old is a race winner and has shown he can produce solid results if given the chance. The Frenchman races for Alpine and has been with the Enstone team since 2020. Ocon sometimes flies under the radar. He does so because he doesn't get flashy results but scores points most weeks. Hamilton is leaving Mercedes. There will always be talk about Ocon joining the team. It is because Ocon has strong links to Mercedes.
Furthermore, the team principal, Toto Wolff, is the manager of the Frenchman. Ocon could be a strong candidate to replace the seven-time world champion. It will be interesting to see his role in the 2025 driver’s market.
Why He’s Good In The Short Term
If Mercedes feels that George Russell is ready to be a number one driver, bringing in Ocon would be a good idea. In the short term, he can produce solid results if the Mercedes car isn't a contender for the title. Ocon has the perfect blend of youth and experience, as the Alpine driver is only 27 and has been racing in F1 since 2016. As stated before, he knows about winning races and has been on the podium many times. It shows that Ocon can compete with the top drivers on his best day. He will also be a good measuring stick for Russell to see where the British driver is at.
The Long Term Plan
In the long term, a partnership between Russell and Ocon could be formidable. They are both great drivers and still have much room to grow. Ocon would likely settle into the more traditional wingman role. He could play a similar role for Russell as Valtteri Bottas played for Hamilton. If Mercedes produces a championship-winning car, that partnership could win the constructors' title. Yet, it all depends on how Mercedes feels Russell is progressing.
Ocon is a great driver, and it will be fascinating to see what his future looks like.