Ocon: Lawson’s Red Bull exit is “not something I wish for any driver”

Alpine driver Esteban Ocon has addressed Liam Lawson’s Red Bull exit, claiming that it is “something I don’t wish for any drivers.”

After the Chinese Grand Prix, the Milton Keynes squad decided to move the New Zealander back to its sister team, Racing Bulls, after a difficult first two race weekends of his rookie Formula One season. 

While speaking to Motorsport.com and other media in Suzuka, Ocon addressed the abrupt replacement of Lawson with Tsunoda, stating:

“I mean, there’s two sides of the story there. Obviously, a very difficult one for Liam, and that’s something I don’t wish for any drivers to have lived in. You know, the pressure he must have been going through and not having much support from what I’ve seen from the outside of his team is a difficult task. You know, you always want to work with the people around you. 

“And obviously, if it’s not going well, you want time as a driver to be able to fix things. So yeah, I like Liam a lot. He’s a great guy. And, you know, it was not nice to see what he went through, but he’s still in Formula 1, and he’s in a very competitive car as well. So, you know, we should not be too sad for him, because he’s going to be fighting in decent spots in Formula 1 again. 

“So that’s all fine. And it’s a good opportunity for Yuki also, especially, you know, in his own race. So it’s going to be exciting to watch on that side. But yes, as a driver who’s worked in an environment not very healthy at times, you know, it’s not a nice thing. You want to be surrounded by people who push you in the right direction. And having too much pressure can’t really help, especially in difficult times.”

Ocon, who was part of the Mercedes driver development programme, also opened up on the importance of having a strong support system from an F1 team. The French driver added:

“Yeah, it is very important because, obviously, having the confidence, having the support with the people you work with… People try and look with you on where things are not going right and they trust you in the process of improving step by step. 

“When it’s not going well, and people already have their opinion and it’s not going the way you want, well, you know, you are on for a not successful story, really. Because in the back of people’s mind, you know that their decision has been made. So it is not, I believe, the way it should be. 

“If you take a decision and go for it, you need to stick to it or give as much time as you can. I guess if there is a lot of pressure with points straight away, you know, it’s a difficult one to take. It must have been for everyone. 

“But, yeah, at least I’m happy for Liam that he’s able to fight in that same spot now and not out of Formula 1. That’s the most important thing.”