Alpine star Esteban Ocon names the ‘most naturally talented’ drivers on the current F1 grid

The Dutchman has already amassed three world championships, whereas Leclerc is a five-time Grand Prix winner.

Charles leclerc and Max verstappen. I raced Charles since 2005, and Max 2010 and it doesn't matter what conditions we were, in (they were) always neck and neck or in the top 3, always. Esteban Ocon said in an interview with High Performance

The Frenchman has been longing for a top racing seat for quite some time. He has so far proved himself to be an extremely competent midfield driver, and is desperate to make a step up to one of the top teams like Mercedes.

Esteban Ocon hopeful of taking positive ‘steps’ with Alpine’s lackluster A524

While Ocon has left no stone unturned in showering praise on Leclerc and Verstappen, his 2024 campaign has not got off to the best of starts. Alpine is currently the slowest team on the grid behind the lights of Haas and Stake.

The 27-year-old is well aware of the issues with the A524, but feels, Alpine can make progress.

I think the whole year, you know, we need to improve, step by step. There is a plan to bring updates throughout the year. So, hopefully, after every update, we’re going to make steps. Esteban Ocon said in an interview with racingnews365

At the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon had a chance of finishing in the top 10 after pulling off some solid moves. However, after a certain point, he only slipped backward because of the terrible performance output of the A524.

Alpine had an outing to forget at last year’s Australian GP where Ocon and Pierre Gasly crashed out. Keeping this and the ongoing problems of Alpine in view, the upcoming race weekend will see several eyes glued on the French team.