Esteban Ocon is done with the ongoing rumors about a mid-season dismissal at Haas. The Frenchman has already been outperformed by teammate Oliver Bearman in several Grands Prix this year, which has increased doubts about his future. However, there is no truth to the stories that Haas might part ways with the driver prematurely: ‘It’s really crazy how it has been blown out of proportion,’ Ocon himself said.
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Esteban Ocon has been outperformed by his younger teammate Oliver Bearman in all races this season. Only in Japan – when the Grand Prix for the younger Haas driver ended early due to his crash into the barriers – did Ocon finish in a higher position. Rumors about the end of the Frenchman’s Formula 1 career are now circulating. Unjustified, according to Ocon himself.
“Honestly, it’s complete nonsense,” the Frenchman told the media in Canada. “It’s unbelievable.” Ocon is also clear about the alleged break with team principal Ayao Komatsu. “We just spoke with Ayao. In the article I saw, he was called ‘Rio Komatsu,’ which is quite funny. And it even said that we had a huge fight in Miami. This is complete nonsense. Honestly, it’s all made up and complete nonsense.”
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‘Almost seems like bullying’
According to Ocon, the relationship with the Japanese team principal is actually strong. “As I said before, I joined this team because I have known Ayao for so long. I have a great bond with him,” he explains. “It has always been like that, and there is nothing wrong as people claim. It is absolutely not true. I am fully focused on what I have to do, the work I have to do with the team. I stand fully behind the team all year. I have a contract.”
The Frenchman therefore does not understand where the rumors come from exactly. “It’s crazy how it has been blown out of proportion,” he continues. “Honestly, I try not to pay too much attention to it, but when something is made so big, it almost seems like bullying in a way.”
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