Esteban Ocon’s trajectory in Formula 1 might have been drastically different if he had secured a seat with Mercedes in 2020, where he would have raced alongside Lewis Hamilton during the team’s dominating period. Instead, the 28-year-old French driver missed out on joining a team that achieved remarkable success, including 13 wins and 15 pole positions in 17 races during the 2020 season with the W11 car. Mercedes secured both world championship titles that year for a seventh consecutive season, marking an era of dominance.
While it is uncertain whether Ocon could have challenged Hamilton for the title, it is plausible that he would have earned several grand prix victories and pole positions. Ultimately, Mercedes chose to keep Valtteri Bottas, and Ocon moved on to Renault—now Alpine—after spending a year away from racing, following the loss of his seat at Force India to Lance Stroll.
How Close Was Ocon to Joining Mercedes?
Ocon explains that the chance to join Mercedes nearly became a reality. Reflecting on the period between late 2018 and early 2019, he describes it as a challenging time filled with contractual uncertainty and political complexities.
“For sure, at some point, it’s always close,”
he admits,
“The end of 2018, beginning of 2019 was a very odd one where I had a lot of signed contracts but for various political reasons, I ended up not having a seat.”
He acknowledges how different 2019 could have been:
“That could have been very different. It could have been a very successful 2019, so it’s a shame.”
Despite missing out, Ocon maintains no regrets, aware he has
“always been at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
The timing of Nico Rosberg’s retirement also influenced Ocon’s prospects. Having raced only half the 2016 season with Manor, he states,
“In 2016, I just did half a year and then Nico [Rosberg] retired. If Nico retired in 2017 at the end of the year, I’m pretty sure things probably would have been different.”
Ocon reflects on his learning curve at Mercedes, explaining,
“I was supposed to have a much better year in 2019 than I had, even though I learned a lot alongside Mercedes. The drivers were performing in 2019, so I completely understood the fact that it made no sense for me to get there because Valtteri and Lewis were doing a great job.”
After five seasons with Alpine, highlighted by his first and only victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, Ocon’s tenure ended on a sour note as he prepared to join Haas for the 2025 season. He recalls his initial optimism:
“I signed for Renault and we had big hopes, but we know the end and how things have turned out and how some people didn’t have the same ideas I had to push forward and help the team take the next step.”
Looking ahead, Ocon is realistic but determined:
“Now I’m entering a team which has a big will to perform and improve, but a team which is very realistic with the chances that it has. We know where we are and we have the right mindset. We just need to build a better car to be able to fight. We’ll see next year where that is.”
Ocon’s Struggle with Formula 1 Politics
One of the more frustrating aspects of Formula 1 for Ocon is the sport’s political nature. He has experienced the harsh realities behind decisions in F1 and has learned to navigate its complexities, although he remains critical of the power structures at play.
Ocon’s career is managed by Mercedes and its principal, Toto Wolff, which gives him insights into the sport’s backstage maneuverings.
“You can only do what you can do and have it in your control,”
he states.
“The thing is, I’ve learned a lot about that side of the sport now. It’s the side of the sport that I hate. It’s all these politicians on top which have the power.”
He points out a divide between those in power and the athletes themselves, saying,
“We are the athletes of the sport, obviously. It’s two very different mindsets that we have. But you need to play with it. You need to be playing with that to get your best interest out of that.”
Ocon notes his increasing involvement, adding,
“I was completely out of this conversation until that happened in 2019. Now, I’m very much more involved in all these decisions.”
His longstanding management team emphasizes stability.
“I have the same [management] team since 2012, actually maybe even before 2010. The same people managing my career, which is very good. I’m much more involved in those conversations and knowing what’s happening.”
Unwavering Commitment to World Championship Ambitions
Despite adapting to a new role with Haas, a team not currently competing at the front, Ocon’s ambition to win a world championship remains intact. He recognizes the immediate challenges but remains hopeful that future opportunities will arise, especially with the regulation changes set for 2026 that could shake up the competitive order.
“Obviously, we know what we have to do this year but then we never know in Formula 1 what can come,”
Ocon shares.
“My job is to do the best job I can with the car I get. And hopefully, one day, have the chance to fight for world titles.”
His mindset is resolute:
“It will never change. I think the day that you accept the fact that you can’t win, I think that’s the day where you need to retire.”
Ocon emphasizes his belief in his abilities,
“I will never accept that I can’t win because I know I can. I know I’ve beaten a lot of guys in the past that are fighting at the top now. I’ve won a race, so I’ve shown that I’m capable.”
He concludes firmly on his future goals:
“I know that I can do it, but it’s not for now. We’ll re-put it for later on the table. I know I can do it, so I should never accept it.”
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened with Esteban Ocon?
A. After the Qatar Grand Prix, he departed from Alpine and joined Haas for the 2025 season alongside Oliver Bearman. By the 2025 British Grand Prix, Ocon had secured one race victory, one fastest lap, and four podium finishes in Formula One. He is set to stay with Haas until the end of the 2026 season at minimum.
