Mercedes make astonishing ownership claim over rival F1 driver
Gwen Lagrue, the man who runs Mercedes’ young driver academy, has suggested that the team still ‘manage’ the career of Alpine driver Esteban Ocon.The Frenchman was very much part of the Brackley-based outfit’s plans having driven with Mercedes in the 2016 DTM season, before competing in Formula 1 with both Manor Racing and Force India, while under a long-term contract with Mercedes.
When the now 27-year-old was replaced at Racing Point by Lance Stroll, he returned to the world champions as a reserve driver, with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas’ positions almost untouchable.
Since 2020, Ocon has represented the Renault (now Alpine) team, scoring two podiums and one race victory in four seasons with the Enstone-based outfit.
Mercedes’ Ocon partnership
While it was considered that his links with Mercedes were all but gone, Lagrue has revealed that is not the case, and that the team are still keeping tabs on Ocon’s career.
Lagrue heads Mercedes’ young driver programme, in which the likes of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Frederik Vesti and Mick Schumacher are all hoping to get their chance once Hamilton decides to retire.
“He’s still very linked to us,” Lagrue told The Race about Ocon.
“He’s an Alpine driver, and he’s fully committed to Alpine, but we’re still managing his career.
“There are only 20 seats in Formula 1, and we are in a way pretty much all collaborating in the best interests of the sport. And in our case we have a very good relationship with Alpine and with others.
“And we always try to find the best solution to work together in the best interest of the team and the driver.”
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F1 star reveals major lesson Piastri taught him during rookie season
Lando Norris has revealed that his superb young team-mate Oscar Piastri has taught him a lesson in ‘keeping calm and being yourself’ around the Formula 1 environment.
22-year-old Piastri was awarded Rookie of the Year in 2023, having taken to F1 in an extremely mature manner.
The young Australian became the first driver since Lewis Hamilton in 2007 to claim more than one podium in their debut season, and was also one of only two non-Red Bull drivers to win a race of any kind throughout the year.
Despite finishing 108 points and three positions behind Norris in the drivers’ championship, Piastri gained great praise from his team for the way in which he handled himself in a season where a lot of tracks he was driving for the first ever time.
McLaren’s formidable driver pairing
Now, Norris has revealed what he has been able to take away from his partnership with Piastri, having previously worked alongside experienced F1 race winner Daniel Ricciardo.
“Oscar had an incredible season,” Lando replied on McLaren’s official website when asked whether he was able to learn anything from his rookie teammate. “Keeping calm and being yourself, it’s good to be reminded of that.
“I think he’s been very, very good at dealing with pressure, better than I feel like I remember I was when I started, but I think that’s because everyone’s very different with all of this – dealing with pressure and remaining calm and chilled.
“I think that is something that I’ve gotten a lot better with over the years – I know how to deal with all of these things much better myself now.
“I have a lot of respect for Oscar in how he was able to stay so calm in a new environment, in Formula 1, on the big stage.”
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