Photo: Race Pictures

Ocon highlights relationship with Verstappen as he predicts title favourite

13:40, 05 Dec

bySamson Ero

Esteban Ocon has confirmed he shares a positive relationship with Max Verstappen as the championship battle intensifies.

“Even if people think otherwise, I have a good relationship with Max.”

- Esteban Ocon

Speaking to GPblog in Abu Dhabi, the Haas F1 driver touched on his rapport with the three title contenders, including Verstappen, whom many believe he shares a sour relationship with.

“I have a good relationship with all three, to be honest. Even if people think otherwise, I have a good relationship with Max. I get along super well with Lando, and I’ve been a teammate with Oscar in the past when he was at Alpine,” Ocon said.

Haas F1 team driver Esteban Ocon - Photo: Race Pictures

Further lauding the trio, the former Alpine driver highlighted how all three drivers deserve to be champions. Ocon cheekily added he would not mind witnessing a crazy first-lap incident between the trio.

“They are three very good drivers, and they all deserve to win the title, but only one will take it. It’s going to be interesting to see the fight until the end. If they can play it a bit crazy on the first lap, I would not mind too much. If they can do a bowling ball strike into Turn One, I will definitely take it,” he added.

The relationship between Ocon and Verstappen has been tested on track. At the Brazilian Grand Prix, both drivers made contact, an incident which cost Verstappen a possible race victory. Earlier, at the Italian Grand Prix, the pair also had a brief clash, which resulted in some expletives exchanged between them in Monza.

Ocon on the championship battle

Further weighing in on the likely winner of the drivers’ title, Ocon opted for Norris. The 29-year-old also praised Verstappen’s incredible resilience.

“The one who deserves it the most is the one who has the quickest car, so I would say McLaren. But the one who has done the craziest is for sure Max,” he said.

“We have to remember that he's quite far behind, and the reality is that all of the top three can fight for the title, but the points deficit is still quite big. So I think Lando is still going to take it,” Ocon concluded.

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