Up to Alpine and Ocon to decide the future before the Mercedes input

Ocon entered Formula 1 as a young Mercedes driver in 2016 and spent 2019 as a reserve driver before returning full-time last year with the Renault works team.

Signed a two-year deal with Renault – since then renamed Alpine – Ocon continued its efforts through 2021, qualifying fifth for the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday.

Mercedes will decide on its driver line-up for 2022 later in the year. The reigning drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas both no longer have a contract. Mercedes junior George Russell will also be a free agent at the end of his current Williams deal.

Mercedes team boss Wolff was initially shy when asked if Ocon might be an option for 2022, having previously been considered for a 2020 seat.

“Esteban is also one of the drivers who are associated with us while he is a full-fledged Renault or Alpine driver,” said Wolff.

“We have a very good relationship with Alpine. Obviously Valtteri is the driver today and Lewis is the driver today and what will be next year will be next year.”

Toto Wolff, Executive Director (Business) of Mercedes AMG, celebrates after the pole with Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

However, when Wolff was asked how seriously he should be considered for 2022, it would be up to Ocon and Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi to decide on their future before Mercedes intervened.

“It’s a bit of a strange situation because he’s been a Mercedes junior for a long time and is now an alpine works driver,” said Wolff.

“It’s a fact. I think the situation there is good for him. He’s growing, he’s playing. He’s French. That’s all the stars do.”

“I think it has to be Laurent and Esteban’s call first about how to proceed before we start giving opinions.”

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Ocon has overqualified his team-mate Fernando Alonso in all of the last three races and finished seventh in Portugal last weekend. This is Alpine’s best result of the season so far.

Wolff said he was “impressed” with Ocon this year, but the French driver said his focus was on the current job at Alpine when asked if he was thinking of a Mercedes seat in 2022.

“I focus on doing a good job here at Alpine,” said Ocon. “I think we have to be happy with our progress and I’m happy with the progress I’ve made this year too.

“I focus on doing the best I can in every race. So you know when you perform there will always be conversation and things going on.”

“But my goal is to deliver for the team I ride in and my home is here right now.”