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Ocon hoping to avoid a 'Vandoorne situation' with Alonso next season

Published on 25 Jul 2020 16:24
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By: Coilin Higgins

With the news that he will be partnered by Fernando Alonso upon his return to Renault next season, Esteban Ocon is confident that he will not suffer the same fate as Alonso's former McLaren teammate Stoffel Vandoorne when racing begins next season.

Vandoorne, who partnered Alonso during the Spaniard's final two seasons with McLaren in 2017 and 2018, had a poor year against the double world champion in 2018, being out-qualified by Alonso at all twenty-one races that year.

McLaren initially dropped Vandoorne for the following year while Alonso retired from the sport, bringing in two new drivers in the guise of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz.

With Alonso replacing the outgoing Daniel Ricciardo for next season, Ocon is happy to partner the former Renault champion and is sure that he will not suffer as Vandoorne did.

“I didn’t think about it too much,” Ocon recently told Crash.net

“Once again I’m going to try the best I can and work with the team.

“I know the challenges and I know Fernando is a quick guy, but I think we have a lot to play together to bring the team forward first. We will see what happens.”

Ocon unsure if Alonso will be his 'toughest' F1 challenge

Responding to claims that Alonso's rival will be the toughest challenge of his F1 career so far, Ocon remained unsure whether Alonso will pose a serious threat to him on the grid next season.

Ocon explained of his respect for Alonso and that he was happy when he received the news of his arrival to the team, explaining that only time will tell how he will fare up against Alonso at the team.

“I don’t know, we will see,” Ocon added.

“It’s hard to say because it’s not happened [yet]. It was definitely great to have him in the team, Fernando is a legend.

“He will have a lot with him to bring to the team. I was very happy with the news. For sure I can’t wait to get started and to be working with him.”

Pistonhead

Posts: 556

Yeah, RIC is getting the mojo back and he's sure to improve on last season as he sets sight on the McLaren drive.

1
Jul 26 2020 - 16:11

F1 News Fernando Alonso Esteban Ocon Renault McLaren

Replies (8)

mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
Its not going to be a steamroll like 21-0 me thinks. But, Alonso would drive quick, adapt fast, and would get preferential treatment, which should make Ocon’s Merc dreams a vaporware.
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- Jul 26 2020 - 08:30
Kevin

Posts: 5,301
Alonso destroys teammates. Ocon will be an unlucky chap.
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- Jul 26 2020 - 10:01
Manto02

Posts: 93
He should start to avoid a vandoorne situation also this year, which is happening right now
- + 0
- Jul 26 2020 - 13:15
- Pistonhead
  
  Posts: 556
  Yeah, RIC is getting the mojo back and he's sure to improve on last season as he sets sight on the McLaren drive.
  + 1
  
  Jul 26 2020 - 16:11
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  Exactly my thoughts. Especially since Ricciardo is not quite the larger-than-life personality that Fernando is in terms of influence inside the team.
  + 0
  
  Jul 26 2020 - 19:36
Snooky

Posts: 121
That year out of racing has really hurt him, merc should have done better to get him a seat in something else instead of leaving him to just sit in the garage all season to keep his racing feet
- + 1
- Jul 26 2020 - 19:42
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
being first at the team will certainly help his momentum somewhat, and he already have a strong partner to measure himself against. If he's lucky, his driving style is similar to Alonso's.
- + 0
- Jul 27 2020 - 06:06
f1ski

Posts: 726
I think Ocon is very much like Grosjean. Very fast but would rather punt someone off the track than get passed.
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- Jul 27 2020 - 23:42