Schumacher Warns Alpine’s Ocon of ‘Master Manipulator’ Fernando Alonso’s F1 Tactics

Year on year, Esteban Ocon has faced a different teammate at the teams he has driven for. After Sergio Perez at Force India and Daniel Ricciardo at Renault, he now has to battle with F1 veteran Fernando Alonso at Alpine.

So, for Ocon to be the lead driver at the French team will come as a challenge for him. In addition, the fact that Alonso possesses a wealth of experience means the team might trust him more in key decisions.

F1 pundit Ralf Schumacher believes that the two-time F1 champion still ranks among the best drivers on the grid. But, at the same time, he also hopes Ocon does not have a ‘rude awakening’ owing to a very particular reason.

Fernando Alonso knows how to get a team on his side internally, said Schumacher

The ex-Williams driver stated, “Alonso is still one of the best. I hope Ocon won’t have a rude awakening. Because Alonso is also a master at how to get a team on his side internally.”

Alonso has been involved in a few controversies, whether that was with fellow drivers or team management. His constant wars of words with Lewis Hamilton back in the day and open criticism of Honda’s engines, did not exactly paint a merry picture of him.

In the final few years of his F1 career, one could also sense that he had a certain level of authority at McLaren. But then again, there is always the possibility that the Woking-based outfit trusted his racing intellect, something he has been known for.

Alonso versus Ocon would be a fascinating teammates’ battle to witness

Though it would seem like a master-protégé relationship considering the time cycles of both drivers’ careers, there will certainly be a desire to prove they are the best, as is the case with naturally every F1 driver who aspires to achieve success.

In that regard, Ocon, who comes off a brilliant run of form from the final few races in 2020, will maintain his confidence level. At the same time, there’s a hungry Alonso who has been out of the sport for a while and wants to recreate some of his racing magic we all know too well.

Therefore, the potential battle that lies in front of us could indeed excite fans to no end. But, at the same time, they will also have the responsibility of delivering a solid finish for the Alpine team.

MORE – Toto Wolff Predicts Ferrari Resurgence in 2021: “Assume that Mistakes Have Been Corrected”