Esteban Ocon recently reflected on his long-standing rivalry with Max Verstappen, which began in karting, continued through the junior racing categories, and escalated into a notable feud in Formula 1. The Haas driver acknowledged Verstappen’s remarkable achievements, stating that the Dutchman has earned every bit of his success and that the tension between them is now behind them. This conversation highlights the journey and evolution of both drivers in the intensely competitive world of motorsport.
The early years of rivalry in karting and junior formulas
Ocon and Verstappen grew up competing on the same circuits, often racing against one another from a young age. Verstappen’s ascent to Formula 1 was rapid, debuting with Toro Rosso in 2015, while Ocon faced more obstacles despite winning the 2014 Formula 3 European Championship. Rather than moving straight to F1, Ocon had to prove himself again in GP3 with ART Grand Prix, securing the title there and working his way through the junior ranks without the financial backing that Verstappen enjoyed.
Ocon found this period challenging because it followed his championship victory but was marred by a lack of resources. Looking back, he credits Verstappen’s aggressive driving style for pushing everyone around him to raise their level.
“He’s been an incredible driver, since the beginning that we started in karting. In fact, I think we all grew up together and he really had a way of driving that was very aggressive, always. Always within the limits of what was possible in the regulations and I think it’s by beating him all these years, we all learned a lot of things by his side in karting,” he said in an interview with Legend on YouTube (33:48 onwards).
While Verstappen captured public attention earlier, it was a difficult adjustment for Ocon, who had to accept playing catch-up as Verstappen gained traction in the sport.
Progression into Formula 1 and career rebuilding
Esteban Ocon finally made his F1 debut in the 2016 Belgian Grand Prix with Manor Racing. Since then, he has steadily rebuilt his reputation and status within the sport. Reflecting on Verstappen’s four world championship titles and overall career success, Ocon expressed respect and recognition for his rival’s accomplishments.
“He deserves 100% everything that happens to him. And then I’m very happy for him that he also won his four titles. But it’s true that at that time, it was very hard for me to tell myself that I had won the championship, that I wasn’t going to F1, that I had to prove myself once again,” he added (34:33 onwards).
Despite their contentious past, Ocon revealed that their relationship today is more cordial than many might expect, demonstrating maturity beyond the clashes of their earlier career.
Turning point: The 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix collision
The rivalry reached a boiling point during the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. On lap 44, with Verstappen leading comfortably, Ocon attempted to unlap himself while running on fresher tires. Their cars collided entering Turn 1, causing both to spin and costing Verstappen the race win. This incident sparked heated confrontations in the post-race moments, notably when Verstappen confronted Ocon in the weighbridge area.
The race stewards imposed a 10-second penalty on Ocon for the collision, and the FIA later reprimanded Verstappen with public-service hours for his aggressive behavior toward Ocon after the race. Both drivers defended their positions — Ocon claimed he had team approval to unlap, while Verstappen argued a lapped driver should not interfere with the race leader and justified his outburst by the heat of the moment.
This episode underscored the intensity of their conflict, as two drivers whose careers had been intertwined since youth clashed in a dramatic moment on the Formula 1 stage.
How the rivalry has evolved and its lasting effects
Years after the Brazilian clash, the rivalry’s headline moments have faded, and both drivers appear to have moved on. Esteban Ocon now openly recognizes Max Verstappen’s achievements, not only acknowledging his talent but also crediting the competition against Verstappen with helping him improve as a driver. This change reflects the personal growth and shifting dynamics between them, emphasizing respect born from years of pushing each other on and off track.
The story of Esteban Ocon and Max Verstappen illustrates how early rivalries in motorsport can fuel development and sometimes ignite tensions but eventually evolve into mutual respect as both athletes carve out successful careers. With Verstappen continuing to dominate as a multiple world champion and Ocon establishing himself as a strong contender within Formula 1, their shared history remains a fascinating subplot in the broader narrative of the sport.
