Esteban Ocon has issued a full-throated denial of the speculation that he will be fired from his seat by Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu in the coming weeks.
The French driver offered a vehement takedown of the rumours and the outlets that published them by undermining their legitimacy, labelling such reports “fabricated” and “complete bullshit” at media day for the Canadian Grand Prix.
Heading into the round in Montreal, the one-time grand prix winner’s F1 future has been under scrutiny in some corners of the internet, with it also suggested that Ocon and Komatsu had a bust-up at the previous round in Miami.
It was claimed that the 29-year-old would lose his drive to either Jack Doohan or Ryo Hirakawa, the latter of whom was seemingly caught up in a case of confusion or mistaken identity with his compatriot at the helm of the team.
“Yeah, honestly, [it is] complete bullshit, to be honest, it’s unbelievable,” Ocon told media, including ApexF1News, at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
“I mean, we were just talking with Ayao just now, the article I saw was calling him Ryo Komatsu, which is quite funny, and they were even saying that we had a massive dispute in Miami, and this is complete nonsense. Like, honestly, it’s all fabricated, complete bullshit, as I said.”
The Haas driver highlighted his strong relationship with Komatsu, with the American squad’s boss having been his engineer at Renault when he first tested in F1.
“I came to this team for the reason that I’ve known Ayao for so long; I’ve got a great relationship with him, that’s always been the case,” Ocon added. “There’s nothing like what people have been saying going on; it’s completely not true.
“I’m fully focused on what I have to do, the job I have to do with the team. I’m fully on board with the team for the whole year; I’ve got a contract with the team.”
He took aim at the rumours and those propagating them, branding it tantamount to bullying whilst insisting his place in the team remains strong.
“Ayao will tell you more later, but honestly, it’s crazy how things have escalated, and honestly, it’s been like… I try not to pay attention too much, but when it gets so big, it’s almost like bullying in a way, you know,” Ocon said.
“I feel good, I feel relaxed in the team. We are doing a great job in the last couple of races. Been unfortunate a bit in the beginning [of the season], with safety cars and stuff, but the pace and the base foundation of the work that we are doing is there, so nothing [is] wrong.”
