Ocon finds it 'crazy' that he gets little credit for achievements in F1

Esteban Ocon made his Formula 1 debut for the Manor team in mid-2016 and is now in his fifth full season at the highest level. The Frenchman has performed creditably in recent years, yet he seems to be seen as a lesser driver than his generational peers from the outside.

When we talk about the young talents that will call the shots in Formula 1 in the coming years, it is actually always names like Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and George Russell that come up. Ocon is often left out, but the 26-year-old driver has also shown he can be fast in recent years. He just does not always get the credit for it, in his own words.

When Ocon is asked by Motorsport.com asked if he is appreciated in the paddock and if there is anything else he can do to improve his reputation, he called it 'a good question'. "There are still people who say to me, 'Ah, I had missed your qualifying at Spa', or 'I didn't know you won a race last year'. To be honest, I find that a bit crazy."

Ocon remains a bit under the radar

As far as he is concerned, Ocon's achievements are not always highlighted in a big way. As an example, he also points to the duel he fights with teammate and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. In the qualifying duel, he leads 9-7 and he has also scored more points in the World Cup: 66 to 59.

When Ocon considers Alonso's career, he sees that only Lewis Hamilton has ever finished on a par. Everyone else, according to Ocon, has done no better than himself. He himself feels he has done a good job and therefore calls it "crazy" that the outside world sometimes seems to see it differently.