Esteban Ocon: “Charles deserves what happens to him"

Esteban Ocon was impressed with Charles Leclerc's performance in his first season as a Ferrari driver but was not surprised with how well he did. Ocon and Leclerc raced together as youngsters and his talent was clear to see at an early stage.

“Charles deserves what happens to him and it’s not a surprise to me," Ocon told NextGen Auto. "I said if he had the car to win races and poles, he would. I also said he would finish ahead of Sebastian Vettel."

Leclerc was the stand out Ferrari driver in 2019 and has performed well enough to earn a contract extension until 2024. Ferrari see him as the future driver at the team and back him to win championships in their car.

Ocon knows the talent of Leclerc having raced him through the junior ranks.

“We fought our whole careers together - with him, Max Verstappen, Pierre Gasly - to get there," said Ocon. "It is also what allowed us to raise our level, and which motivated us to always do better."

Leclerc has done incredibly well and Ocon will hope to start having the same success in the next few years as well.