Ex-F1 driver claims Esteban Ocon will challenge George Russell at Mercedes’ amidst INCESSANT Alpine exit rumors

Esteban Ocon has been the subject of huge controversy since the Monaco GP.

Ex-F1 driver claims Esteban Ocon will challenge George Russell at Mercedes’ amidst INCESSANT Alpine exit rumors

Esteban Ocon and George Russell(via IMAGO)

Ex-F1 driver, Giedo van der Garde has made claims regarding Esteban Ocon following rumors of an exit from the Alpine at the end of this season. The former has said that Ocon will challenge George Russell at Mercedes if the French driver is to join the Silver Arrows.

The Brackley-based team is currently on the hunt for a driver for the 2025 season after news erupted of Lewis Hamilton leaving the team. Hamilton has been at Mercedes since 2013 and is set to join Ferrari next year.

Keeping this in view, Giedo van der Garde has presented an unconvincing yet praiseful view of Esteban Ocon after the French driver collided with Pierre Gasly controversially at the Monaco GP. The 39-year-old has praised Ocon for his skill in finding pace but has also highlighted the bad decisions made by the him on numerous occasions.

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Ocon is fast, he is good. Only, he is not a team player. He's a nasty little man at times. If that goes out, then he can become bigger. Only that will always be in there. In terms of talent, at speed he will definitely be able to keep up with a Mercedes. He will be able to challenge Russell at times. I'm convinced of that. 
Giedo Van der Garde said in DRS: The Race Show.

Van der Garde has backed Ocon to challenge George Russell at Mercedes if the rumors tend to be true of him leaving the team. The upcoming weeks will outline Ocon’s situation in Alpine for the coming season.

Esteban Ocon will race at the Canadian Grand Prix

Esteban Ocon confirmed that he will be racing for Alpine in the Canadian Grand Prix after rumors emerged of the driver being dropped following his collision in Monaco. Ocon was forced to retire from the event after he tried to overtake his teammate.

Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon (Via: Imago)
There is no reward without risk in Formula 1 – and race starts are intense, even more so in Monaco where the opening lap can dictate your finishing result. In the end, we are all competitors and hard, fair racing throughout the field is what makes our sport so great and the main reason why I love this sport so much. I’m looking forward to competing in Montreal, in front of the fantastic Canadian fans, and to the exciting opportunities the future holds.
Esteban Ocon said in his statement.

Rumors flung out earlier this week that Alpine had decided to drop the 27-year-old for the Montreal event in light of his mistakes at Monaco. However, the French driver rubbished the rumors and said he would race in the Canadian Grand Prix, while taking full responsibility for his actions in Monaco.

Alpine is currently under the sword this season, scoring only two points in eight races. The team will now have to work relentlessly to earn points from the upcoming races in order to improve their position in the constructors championship.

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