Ocon maintains Mercedes “connections” with new Alpine F1 deal

Ocon entered F1 as a Mercedes junior in mid-2016, driving nine races for Manor that year before moving to Force India for the next two seasons and then spending 2019 on the sidelines as reserve driver for the Black Arrows after Lawrence Stroll’s consortium had bought the assets of Force India and formed Racing Point (now Aston Martin).

When he signed with the Renault team at the time to get back into Formula 1 in 2020, Mercedes motorsport director Toto Wolff called Ocon “a cousin of the Mercedes family” because the Frenchman kept a management connection with Mercedes but stopped being one of his juniors to be and instead became an elderly alpine racer.

It goes without saying that this agreement remains unchanged with Ocon’s new deal with Alpine.

When Autosport asked to clarify its connection with Mercedes before the French Grand Prix this weekend, Ocon said: “Well, I’ll be a complete alpine driver for the next three years – that’s where I am at the moment.

“Of course there are still connections to Mercedes, but my job is to be with Alpine, and fully with Alpine.

“So there will be nothing and no interaction with the Mercedes Grand Prix team.”

Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12, Esteban Ocon, Alpine A521

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Ocon was later asked if he had been involved in discussions with Mercedes about a possible move to this squad after 2021, and he replied, “I don’t really have to comment on that”.

He added: “What I do know is that I feel really comfortable here – another three years with Alpine.

“That is all that is important to me in the end and that is what I have to focus on in the future.

“I think it’s a great decision for me, for my career.

“A huge step forward and the longest deal I’ve ever had in motorsport in my entire career.

“So where I was a few years ago I think it’s a great position. So I’m really satisfied. “

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Ocon described his new contract with Alpine as “a burden off his shoulders” that will allow him to “focus only on performance and the essentials after the rest is secured”.

“I felt comfortable in the team, I feel very well integrated, the atmosphere is fantastic and we work very well,” he continued.

“Of course, with the new regulations, we have a great opportunity to do good next year, so it’s definitely a perfect place for me.”