F1 star linked with team exit was 'uncoachable' and 'defensive', claims former race engineer

Former F1 race engineer Mark Slade has made critical remarks about Esteban Ocon, labeling him as 'uncoachable' and 'defensive' during their collaboration at Renault in the 2020 season. Slade emphasized that while Ocon possesses talent, his unwillingness to accept feedback made it challenging to work with him. He contrasted Ocon's attitude with that of Kimi Raikkonen, whom he found more receptive to guidance.

Ocon's future with Haas is uncertain as his contract ends in 2026, and the team is exploring options with potential test drivers. Despite the criticism, Ocon has established himself as a consistent presence in F1 since his return to the sport, having previously raced for Alpine before joining Haas.