Esteban Ocon snubs Lewis Hamilton and names Max Verstappen as the ‘best driver’ on the current F1 grid

Esteban Ocon claimed that Max Verstappen is currently the best driver in F1.

Esteban Ocon snubs Lewis Hamilton and names Max Verstappen as the ‘best driver’ on the current F1 grid

Esteban Ocon. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (image via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen has continued to dominate Formula 1 in 2023. The two-time world champion has matched Sebastian Vettel‘s record of most consecutive wins in F1 history with nine in a row. Certainly, the Dutch driver has shown some incredible pace this season. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon praised the Red Bull driver for his recent success.

Ocon was convinced that Verstappen truly deserved to dominate the sport in recent years. The reigning world champion will win his third consecutive F1 title this season. Esteban Ocon admitted that the Dutch driver had impressed the entire paddock with his performance. He said, as reported by Soymotor, “Max deserves all the success he is reaping right now. He has done it with Red Bull is more than impressive, it is incredible.”

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Esteban Ocon had raced against Max Verstappen in junior categories as the two tried to make their way to the pinnacle of motorsport. The Alpine driver remarked that the Dutchman is the best driver in the sport right now, ahead of 7-time world champion Hamilton. Ocon explained, “I have run against him in karting, in single-seaters, and also in Formula 1. He is clearly the best pilot on the grid today.”

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Max Verstappen remains unchallenged in 2023

Max Verstappen holds up nine fingers to symbolize his nine consecutive wins (Credits: @Gvk0718/Twitter)
Max Verstappen holds up nine fingers to symbolize his nine consecutive wins (Credits: @Gvk0718/Twitter)

The two-time world champion has won eleven out of thirteen races this season. Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez won the two remaining rounds, with Red Bull undefeated. The Dutch driver will wrap up the 2023 world title before the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Max Verstappen leads Perez by 138 points in the standings.

As F1 returned from the summer break, fans hoped to see drivers put up a challenge against the defending world champion. However, Verstappen was in his own league at his home race, with the Dutch driver being up to four seconds faster than his teammate. It seems that the 25-year-old might continue his winning streak in the upcoming rounds.

Thus, Esteban Ocon has claimed that Max Verstappen is currently the best driver in Formula 1. The Frenchman was impressed by the consistency and pace of the reigning world champion as he put Verstappen ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Although, it remains to be seen if the Red Bull driver can continue his dominance in the remainder of the 2023 season.

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