Mercedes claims Esteban Ocon is still managed by the Silver Arrows despite leaving for Alpine in 2020

Esteban Ocon has been racing for Alpine since 2020 while still having a connection to Mercedes.

Mercedes claims Esteban Ocon is still managed by the Silver Arrows despite leaving for Alpine in 2020

Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon (Via IMAGO)

Esteban Ocon served as a reserve driver for Mercedes for a couple of seasons. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff shared a great relationship with the French driver during his stint at Force India. However, Ocon decided to reunite with Renault as he joined the Enstone-based team squad for 2020. The 27-year-old has stayed with the now-renamed Alpine team since then. Now, the Silver Arrows have revealed that the Alpine driver is still managed by the team.

Mercedes’ junior program chief Gwen Lagrue recently mentioned that Esteban Ocon remained linked to the Brackley-based team. Lagrue highlighted that the 27-year-old was fully committed to Alpine as per his current contract. However, the German automaker was still in charge of managing the career of the former Force India driver.

He's [Esteban Ocon] still very linked to us. He’s an Alpine driver, and he's fully committed to Alpine, but we're still managing his career.
Gwan Lagrue told The Race
YouTube video

Lagrue pointed out that Mercedes was open to collaborating across the F1 grid to ensure that the best interests of the sport can be achieved. As such, the Silver Arrows maintain good relations with other teams such as Alpine courtesy of Esteban Ocon’s position at the team. Wolff’s squad has previously got its junior drivers at other teams such as George Russell at Williams.

FS Video
There are only 20 seats in Formula 1, and we are in a way pretty much all collaborating in the best interests of the sport. And in our case we have a very good relationship with Alpine and with others.

Esteban Ocon need a strong 2024 season after a disappointing 2023

Esteban Ocon has achieved a few incredible results with the Enstone-based team. Most notably, the 27-year-old won the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix while fending off four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. Ocon took his first podium with the French team at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix.

Esteban Ocon (via IMAGO)
Esteban Ocon (via IMAGO)

High expectations were laid on Alpine for 2023. However, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly faced a difficult start to the season as the team fell behind Aston Martin and even McLaren in the latter stages. Although, Ocon secured a podium at the Monaco GP. Major changes were undertaken at Team Enstone including the sacking of team boss Otmar Szafnauer.

The 2024 season would be crucial for Alpine. The French team needs to bridge the gap to the front of the grid this year. Esteban Ocon has made it clear that he wants to fight for race wins regularly than keep battling in the F1 midfield. However, this will be a tough task for Team Enstone as they need to get a good car up and running from the get-go.

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