“It’s all these politicians on top”

Toto Wolff and Mercedes-managed driver Esteban Ocon has shown a rare disgust for politics in F1. The French driver has been a part of the sport since 2016, when he first made his debut with Manor Racing.

Making his name in the junior categories as one of the rising talents, Ocon was picked up by Toto Wolff and Mercedes for the team’s academy. In 2014, when he beat Max Verstappen to the F3 title, the driver grabbed attention.

After a few races with Manor in 2016, the driver found himself at Force India alongside Sergio Perez in 2017. After two impressive years with the team, the driver was forced to spend a season on the sidelines as a late deal with Renault didn’t come through, and the team signed Daniel Ricciardo.

After returning to the sport with Renault/Alpine, Ocon slowly established himself in F1. He got his first podium in 2020 and his first win in 2021, and he would have a formidable partnership with Fernando Alonso as well.

Right now, Ocon drives for Haas, but his career could have a different trajectory, as options at Mercedes were available at one point. The driver was still managed by Toto Wolff, but looking back, he reveals his disgust for the politics in the sport. Talking to Crash.net, he said:

“The thing is, I’ve learned a lot about that side of the sport now. It’s the side of the sport that I hate. It’s all these politicians on top which have the power. We are the athletes of the sport, obviously. It’s two very different mindsets that we have. But you need to play with it.”

He added:

“You need to be playing with that to get your best interest out of that. I was completely out of this conversation until that happened in 2019. Now, I’m very much more involved in all these decisions.”

Esteban Ocon much more involved with Mercedes and Toto Wolff when it comes to politics

Unlike 2019, when it was all left to his management team, Toto Wolff and Mercedes, Esteban Ocon shared that now he talks about the political side with his team management a lot more. The driver is now at Haas, and it does appear that it was a call that he made when he decided to switch from Alpine. He said:

“I have the same [management] team since 2012, actually maybe even before 2010. The same people managing my career, which is very good. I’m much more involved in those conversations and knowing what’s happening.”

Esteban Ocon’s career could potentially have a different direction if he were picked up by Mercedes and Toto Wolff and given a promotion. The driver is still 28 years of age and hopes to build something bigger.