The announcement of Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari from 2025 inevitably leads to the question of who will take his place at Mercedes. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Fernando Alonso, Alexander Albon… The totonomi has already been started, with the silver arrows who have now protected themselves in the technical department. Between memes and people who proposed themselves in a joking way (yes Romain Grosjean, we're talking about you!), a driver has opened up about a possible move to Mercedes: Esteban Ocon.
Mercedes, if you're looking for me I won't say no: Ocon's word
During the presentation of the Alpine A524, the discussion also went on the announcement of the year. The Frenchman, who has had a close relationship with Mercedes throughout his career, was teased by journalists on the subject.
"It's clear that I have good ties with Mercedes – commented Esteban Ocon. – In a way I'm still managed by them, even though I am no longer a young man. But my attention is on the races and the project we have in place with Alpine".
Being among the pilots with the contract expiring at the end of the year, his performance over the course of the season will be decisive, as he himself declared:
"I have to concentrate on the track, which is the most important thing - It reaffirmed. – If things go well, then there will always be rumors and leaks. That's what happens when you do good work".
Could he be the right choice?
There's no denying it, all the drivers nominated in recent days are valid for the post-Hamilton era. Esteban, however, could prove to be the right choice.
It should be clarified that Ocon is still under Mercedes management, as already anticipated and confirmed by Gwen Lagrue – director of the Mercedes Young Driver Academy – in an interview with the site The Race:
"He is still very close to us – declared Lagrue – he is an Alpine rider and is fully committed to Alpine, but we are still managing his career“. And keeps going: "We always try to find the best solution to work together in the interest of the team and the driver".
Pilot in growth phase and full maturity, has the advantage of already knowing the internal dynamics of the team since in 2019 – after being replaced by Lance Stroll at Force India – it was third Mercedes driver.
Despite having always raced in mid/lower ranking teams, Ocon is a "relatively" young driver. From him he has experience and important results (above all, the victory at the 2022 Hungarian GP).
Having reached this point in his career, he aims for the main course. And also considering that he has been close to that seat several times... who knows if this is the right time.
It could certainly be a source of pride for Mercedes to have him alongside George Russell: they would have boys who grew up in their supply chain as official drivers.
If he wants to go to Mercedes, Esteban Ocon will also have to redeem himself at Fanta F1. Last season he finished with a fantasy average of +1.93: definitely too low.
