Caught in a whirlwind of rapid and unfounded speculation, Esteban Ocon felt compelled to set the record straight after winter testing in Barcelona. The French driver firmly denied rumors of an alleged injury and his presence… on crutches in the paddock. He considers this story not only false but also insulting to all Formula 1 drivers.
Ocon denounces a rumor born from a simple observation
In Barcelona, while Haas F1 Team launched its 2026 testing program with strong relays, Or with He was seen outside the car at times, observing the track from the stands. This was enough to trigger a flood of comments claiming he was injured, or even allowed to drive despite a physical problem.
« People said I was walking with crutches. Seriously… " he reacted, torn between irony and exasperation. How do you expect to drive an F1 car in this condition? »
The reality is much simpler: it wasn't Or withBut his father, who had recently undergone knee surgery, was using crutches. The driver was simply by his side, taking the opportunity to analyze the behavior of the single-seaters from the outside.
« We were looking at the braking points, how the cars were positioning themselves, how the front wing reacted in turn 10 " he explained. A valuable observation at the dawn of a new regulatory cycle.
Beyond the anecdote, Or with denounces a broader trend. To say that a driver can race injured in F1 is an insult. We're talking about extreme machines that demand perfect physical condition. He said.
The episode primarily illustrates the constant media pressure surrounding the drivers, where the slightest image can fuel fanciful stories. Focused on his preparation and adapting to the new technical regulations, Or with He now prefers to leave the noise behind him.
One thing is certain: as the 2026 season approaches, Esteban Ocon is fully operational and determined to prove it on the track.
