Esteban Ocon contracted pneumonia in the off-season

Before the start of each season, riders talk a lot about how they stay fit and train during the winter break. Alpine driver Esteban Okon had a completely different off-season – right after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he contracted pneumonia, the consequences of which affected his health for a month and a half.

“I had severe pneumonia after the Abu Dhabi round,” said Esteban at the presentation of the new Alpine A523 car. – As a result, I could not return to my usual physical shape for about a month and a half. Together with the team and the coaches we had to work hard to recover, but now things are going well. Now the viruses are very serious so everyone should be careful.

Immediately after the illness, the consequences were so strong that my heart rate increased enormously while walking. When it became easier for me, my coaches and the team did everything possible to return to my usual training as soon as possible, but there was no progress for a long time.

Now everything is fine with me. We did several physical tests, which showed that my weight, my shape and most of the physical indicators are at the same level as in 2022. But I must say that it was scary at one point, because the disease did not regress. The human body is very strange – it is not a machine and cannot be repaired as quickly as a car.”