Ted Kravitz ‘Amazed’ as One Driver Becomes Verstappen’s ‘Biggest Supporter’ at São Paulo Grand Prix

Sky Sports F1 presenter Ted Kravitz expressed his surprise at Esteban Ocon’s unexpected defense of Max Verstappen ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, citing the drivers’ past confrontations. Speaking on his podcast Ted’s Podbook, Kravitz shared how Ocon had emerged as Verstappen’s “biggest supporter” during media day, a stance Kravitz found particularly striking.

“Amazingly, considering their personal history, Esteban Ocon was Max’s biggest supporter today,” Kravitz said. “He was saying, ‘Look, when you’ve got to win a championship, you’re going to do anything,’ which was quite a stance to take.”

The surprising support comes despite a heated incident between the two drivers at the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix. In that race, Verstappen, who was leading at the time, collided with Ocon—then a Force India driver—while Ocon attempted to unlap himself, resulting in both drivers being pushed down the grid. The altercation led to a heated exchange in parc fermé, with Verstappen physically confronting Ocon. Following the incident, Verstappen received a community service penalty from the FIA.

Yet Ocon now appears more understanding of Verstappen’s aggressive approach, even offering a light-hearted take on rules. “Ocon said, ‘I don’t like rules,’ which I found quite funny,” Kravitz remarked. “For a driver like him to step in and justify that approach, given what’s at stake in a title race, is pretty surprising.”

The unexpected support adds another layer to the relationship between the two drivers, highlighting how perspectives can shift with time and competition.