Esteban Ocon believes that only Lewis Hamilton has performed better than him in the role of Fernando Alonso's team-mate in Formula 1.

The Alpine driver has had a strong spell since returning to the F1 grid with the British/French team, with him winning his first ever Grand Prix last year in Hungary and also producing a number of strong displays both last season and this.

Indeed, he is slightly ahead of Fernando Alonso in the points at the moment, though the Spaniard is edging the qualifying head-to-head, and that competitiveness, the Frenchman believes, is something that deserves more credit than it's getting.

Only Hamilton has done a better job against Alonso than Ocon

Fernando Alonso & Esteban Ocon in Baku

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JUNE 12: Fernando Alonso of Spain and Alpine F1 and Esteban Ocon of France and Alpine F1 talk to the media ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on June 12, 2022 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Quoted via Motorsport.com, Ocon had this to say:

“I don't read everything that is said about me, but I hope that when I do something good, it is reported as such, and that others can get an idea.

“But it is true that there are some people who say to me 'ah, I didn't notice your qualifying at Spa', or 'I forgot you won last year'. I admit that I find it a bit strange.

“In the end in qualifying, compared with Fernando, it is 9/7 to him, but I have a few more points in the standings. Last year, if we talk about qualifying, we finished the season in a draw: 11 to 11.

“If I look at Fernando's career, the only team-mate at his level was Lewis. Everyone else has not done better than me.

“Personally I feel that I am doing a good job, yes. So it is a bit strange at times to see that on the outside there are those who perceive in a slightly different way.”

Does Ocon deserve more credit?

Ocon and Alonso celebrate the Frenchman's win in Budapest

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - AUGUST 01: Race winner Esteban Ocon of France and Alpine F1 Team and fifth placed Fernando Alonso of Spain and Alpine F1 Team celebrate in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 01, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Ocon is more than entitled to be thinking this way.

Bar Hamilton, few drivers have really been as close to Alonso over a season as Ocon has.

Fernando has driven alongside the likes of Kimi Raikkonen, Jenson Button and Felipe Massa during his career, but Ocon stacks up just as well against him as they did - though the likes of Button was in a pretty torrid McLaren car and it's hard to draw comparisons there.

Ocon showed in Saudi he's happy to mix it with Fernando on track, too, and clearly just wants a little more appreciation for his efforts this season.

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