After Verstappen, Ocon could arrive in F1
The arrival of Max Verstappen in F1, a participant of the European F3 championship, highlights the young talents thriving in the lower single-seater categories, like Esteban Ocon, the French driver who dominates the discipline and could follow in the footsteps of the Dutchman.
After the announced full-time position for next season of Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso, replacing Jean-Eric Vergne, attention turned to the European F3. While the Dutch driver is in a very good second position in his first season in single-seaters, the leader is the 17-year-old French driver Esteban Ocon.
In 27 races, the Prema Powerteam rookie has achieved seven wins and 19 podiums. With six rounds remaining in the 2014 season, the Frenchman holds a 77-point lead over Verstappen, equivalent to more than three victories (a win worth 25 points, as in Formula 1). Unlike Jos’s son, Ocon is not contesting his first season in single-seaters as he has already competed in Formula Renault 2.0 in 2012 and 2013.
Questioned by our colleagues from L’Equipe, the Norman believes that the recognition of his current runner-up’s talent can only be beneficial for him: « He is very aggressive. But he is also very fast, naturally. If Red Bull chooses him and I finish ahead of him, it will enhance my career. I wonder, like everyone else, about his precociousness in stepping up to F1. It’s a huge leap to make. Now, we live in such a professionalized world, whether in karting or F3, that the decision is not absurd. »
Supported by the Gravity driver management structure – owned by Genii Capital, which also owns Lotus F1, Ocon is reportedly ready for a possible entry into the top discipline, according to the sports daily. Indeed, Gravity is working to enable the French prodigy to drive in F1, either through free practice sessions or a full-time seat.
