{"id":34070,"date":"2024-02-11T17:57:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-11T17:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/formula1news.co.uk\/?p=34070"},"modified":"2024-02-11T06:52:19","modified_gmt":"2024-02-11T06:52:19","slug":"esteban-ocon-speaks-out-on-mick-schumacher-returning-to-formula-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/formula1news.co.uk\/esteban-ocon-speaks-out-on-mick-schumacher-returning-to-formula-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Esteban Ocon speaks out on Mick Schumacher returning to Formula 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Esteban Ocon holds the belief that Mick Schumacher warrants another opportunity in Formula 1 following his unsuccessful two-year tenure at Haas, with speculation swirling around the prospect of the Mercedes reserve stepping in for Lewis Hamilton after his departure to Ferrari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schumacher struggled to progress after a moderately promising debut season in F1 in 2022, partnering Kevin Magnussen upon the Dane’s last-minute return to the team, concluding the season with less than half the points amassed by Magnussen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite encountering several significant and high-profile crashes, Schumacher will now blend his testing duties with Mercedes with a full-time role at Alpine in car #36 of the World Endurance Championship after a year on the sidelines at Brackley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Yes,” Ocon informed the media, including Total-Motorsport.com, at Alpine’s F1 and WEC launch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

READ: Pierre Gasly makes shock claim about Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“He does deserve a place in Formula 1, that is clear. Because he’s proved, he’s Formula 3 champion, Formula 2 champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“He’s had two years in the back of the midfield car, you need time to prove yourself in F1, learn things and for sure he deserves a seat in F1. He’s one of the most talented drivers out there and for sure deserves it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout his junior career, Schumacher demonstrated a tendency to excel in his second year of a series, clinching 12th place in both European F3 and F2 before securing both championships a year later. However, his initial year at Haas was largely squandered in an uncompetitive car alongside Mazepin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He exhibited improvement alongside Magnussen in the latter half of 2022, notwithstanding a costly crash at Suzuka. Nevertheless, by that juncture, relations had already deteriorated with then-team principal Guenther Steiner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schumacher severed his longstanding affiliation with the Ferrari Driver Academy to join Mercedes, but his agreement with Alpine means he’s now racing for his father Michael’s third former team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s fantastic for the Alpine Endurance team first of all,” Ocon added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Charles #Leclerc<\/a> \u2018shocked and disappointed\u2019 by Lewis Hamilton https:\/\/t.co\/8LmhUhr1iM<\/a><\/p>— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) February 10, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>