Imagine hurtling towards a concrete wall at breakneck speed, your body bracing for an impact measured in G-forces. This is the chilling reality Esteban Ocon faced during the 2022 Miami Grand Prix, an accident he now describes as potentially the most violent of his Formula 1 career. But here's where it gets controversial: while the crash footage might not look spectacular, the physical toll it took on Ocon raises serious questions about the safety limits in F1.
In a candid interview with French YouTube channel Legend, Ocon, a seasoned driver with a 2016 F1 debut and a grand prix win under his belt, opened up about the harrowing experience. The conversation, steered by interviewer Guillaume Pley, drew parallels to French rugby player Sebastien Chabal's partial amnesia, possibly linked to multiple concussions. Ocon, now a Haas driver, reflected on his own brushes with danger, revealing that some crashes, despite exceeding 40G, hadn't left him severely injured—until Miami.
“I’ve had some big crashes,” Ocon admitted. “Touch wood, those crashes have never been too violent, despite some of them exceeding 40G and nearly knocking me out. Sometimes my eyesight got blurry, or I had a headache for days.” But Miami was different. Representing Alpine at the time, Ocon lost control at Turn 13, slamming backward into a concrete wall at 42G. “I hit both my knees and could barely walk afterwards,” he recounted. It took him over a minute and a half to extricate himself from the car. The aftermath was even more alarming: the next morning, he collapsed in the shower, losing his balance. “I was peeing red,” he added, a stark indicator of internal trauma. Despite this, Ocon managed to finish eighth in the race, a testament to his resilience.
And this is the part most people miss: Ocon's recovery and performance were overshadowed by strategic pit stops during a perfectly timed safety car period, which allowed him and three other drivers to gain an advantage. Before the safety car, Ocon was eighth with a slim 11-second lead over Lando Norris, who later collided with Pierre Gasly, neutralizing the race. This tactical element often goes unnoticed in the drama of high-speed crashes.
Ocon's 2022 season was his most successful yet, scoring 92 points and securing eighth place in the championship—matching his 2017 performance with Force India. But the Miami crash serves as a stark reminder of the risks these drivers face. Is F1 doing enough to protect its athletes from long-term injuries? Weigh in below and let us know your thoughts. The Autosport.com Team wants to hear from you—take our survey and help shape our future content!
