Ocon: 'Verstappen is a shining representative of my generation'

Esteban Ocon hopes one day to compete with Max Verstappen for the Formula 1 world title. Last year went extremely well for him at Alpine, but the Frenchman realises it will take more to go for the title.

Ocon and Verstappen previously competed with each other in Formula 3, but both drivers' paths to F1 were different. They eventually clashed again in the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix, a clash that cost Verstappen victory. That incident is far behind them. "We get along fine now and have a lot of respect for each other," the Alpine driver said in conversation with NOS.

Verstappen's success came as no surprise to Ocon. "He is simply a super talent. Max is competitive always and everywhere, it's been like that for years. I've known it since my childhood. Ever since karting he dominated championships. Then he was fast in every car he was in," echo the 26-year-old Frenchman's words of praise.

He therefore calls his old rival's two world titles "well deserved". "Last year I already thought that and this year he is putting in a top season. I am proud that a driver I grew up with is emerging like this. Max is a shining representative of my generation. He is one of the greats of this sport," Ocon continued.

In the future, Ocon hopes to fight for the title with Verstappen again, but in the king class of motorsport. However, he realises that he will need the material to do so. Still, he is convinced it is possible in the future and hopes Alpine can bridge the gap to Red Bull Racing in the coming years.