Getting to the top is a challenge, however, staying on top is more complicated. This is the struggle all Formula 1 drivers face as they fight for survival in the premier class. Esteban Ocon is familiar with this constant battle for survival, as he was demoted to a reserve role in 2019. This is precisely why the Frenchman has dedicated himself fully to the task of staying on top and being the best version of himself in 2023. However, this dedication comes at a cost.

The cost? Social life. Ocon has been hard at work since 2022. The Frenchman reaped the reward by outperforming his teammate, Fernando Alonso, in the overall standings. However, with a new teammate, Pierre Gasly, and challenge beckoning, Ocon is giving his all.

As per The Race, Ocon talked, about how he and his team are hard at work. “So that overall makes it a very strong team. And it has helped me on a lot of different details, just keep energy throughout the year. But also my training centre, which my physio communicates with in France, has moved from the Pyrenees to Annecy, and I live quite close to that place. So I can basically [do] training camp between races.”

However, this hard work is costing him his social life. “So, no life, I would say! Because I spend every day flat out working, there, but I feel a lot stronger.“

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The $18 million worth Frenchman could be making these sacrifices to one-up his fellow countrymen and new teammate, especially after the rumors of tension between the two spread. Although, Gasly did put the rumors to bed.

Pierre Gasly discredits any bad blood between himself and Esteban Ocon

The Frenchman discredited any rumors of tension between him and his new teammate. In fact, Alpine even had them pose together for a PR op. If that wasn’t enough, Gasly even blamed the media for pushing the non-existent rivalry.

“I know they like to sell this story. For me, it’s no secret that we’ve had our ups and downs in our relationship but he’s the guy I’ve known the longest, for 20 years. We grew up together and I think we’ve cleared a lot of dust since we arrived in F1. Things are going well now and I don’t see any reason why they should not go well now,” he said in an interview with Channel 4.

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Beef or not, every teammate is automatically a rival and it will be the same for the Alpine men as well. It will be interesting to see how the two line up against each other in the upcoming season.