Formula 1 Dutch GP
Ocon explains why he wants Schumacher at Alpine for 2023
Esteban Ocon has told Alpine that Mick Schumacher is his preferred option as a Formula 1 teammate for 2023, believing the current Haas driver could “perform very well”.
Luke Smith
Edited: Sep 2, 2022, 12:33 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Alpine is currently engaged in a contract dispute with reserve driver Oscar Piastri after announcing him in a race seat for 2023, only for the Australian to say he had not signed a deal for next year.
While the case has been heard by F1's Contract Recognition Board this week, Alpine is looking at other options for next year to partner Ocon including current AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly.
But Ocon revealed at Spa last weekend that Schumacher, who is currently in his second F1 season with Haas, would be his choice as a teammate for next year.
Ocon said on Thursday at Zandvoort there were "a lot of talks" currently with Alpine about plans for 2023, and was confident the team would make the right call.
"People know my choice, if I had anything to say, would be Mick, if he doesn't have anything lined up next year," Ocon said.
"On my side, whoever it will be, I will be focused on my job, developing the car, trying to pull the team forward. That's what I want to do."
Schumacher has just two points finish to show for his time in F1 so far, coming in consecutive races earlier this year at Silverstone and the Red Bull Ring, where he finished eighth and sixth respectively.
Schumacher faces an uncertain future after struggling to match Haas teammate Kevin Magnussen through much of this season. Autosport revealed earlier this week that Schumacher's ties to Ferrari are also set to come to an end after this year.
Mick Schumacher, Haas VF-22
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Ocon felt confident that Schumacher would perform if he was given a more competitive car, pointing to the German's record in junior categories where he won the Formula 2 and European Formula 3 titles.
"He has shown talent in the junior categories as well, he's been very fast," Ocon said.
"Sometimes in Formula 1, it's not easy to perform with a car that is a bit on the back foot. I've had that when I started in F1.
"I'm sure he's a great guy, and he could perform very well if he joined a competitive car. At the moment, the Alpine is competitive.
"That's just my words. With the team, I don't have the decision to take. But the team knows this would be my preference."
Read Also:
- Di Grassi accuses Vettel of greenwashing after FE criticisms
- Hamilton: I was "wrong" to call Red Bull "just a drinks company"
- Gasly: Video discussing ’final details of contract’ not about F1 amid Alpine links
Schumacher was coy when asked about his plans for 2023 during Thursday's FIA press conference, simply saying he was "excited for this weekend".
He added that talks with Ferrari about his future as one of its young drivers was "something I would rather keep between us" and "contractual matters which I can't go into."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Why Russell arrived at the Dutch GP in a Ricciardo shirt
Next article Perez and Verstappen to continue running different F1 floors
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Luke Smith
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
Formula 1
Formula 1
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Formula 1
Formula 1
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Formula 1
Formula 1
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
More from
Mick Schumacher
Shank outlines 2027 IndyCar expectations for Mick Schumacher
IndyCar
IndyCar
Shank outlines 2027 IndyCar expectations for Mick Schumacher
Mick Schumacher joins Meyer Shank Racing for 2027 IndyCar season
IndyCar
IndyCar
Laguna Seca
Mick Schumacher joins Meyer Shank Racing for 2027 IndyCar season
Honda crowned 2026 IndyCar manufacturers' champions
IndyCar
IndyCar
Milwaukee Race 2
Honda crowned 2026 IndyCar manufacturers' champions
More from
Alpine
Alpine drivers penalised post-race, Ryo Hirakawa scores on F1 debut at Mexico GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Alpine drivers penalised post-race, Ryo Hirakawa scores on F1 debut at Mexico GP
Franco Colapinto, George Russell to sit out FP1 at F1 Mexico GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Franco Colapinto, George Russell to sit out FP1 at F1 Mexico GP
Latest news
Why Daniel Ricciardo is staying away from the F1 paddock
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 12 min
Why Daniel Ricciardo is staying away from the F1 paddock
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Formula 1
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Esteban Ocon's F1 career may be ending, but his story is one of success
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 2 h
Esteban Ocon's F1 career may be ending, but his story is one of success
“We let him down” – Mercedes takes blame for George Russell’s Mexico GP heartbreak
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
“We let him down” – Mercedes takes blame for George Russell’s Mexico GP heartbreak
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe