Esteban Ocon has secured his future in Formula One after signing a new three-year extension contract with Alpine on the eve of the team’s home Grand Prix.
This latest move by the team will see the young driver continue to race with the French outfit until at least the end of 2024.
Ocon has been competing with the newly re-branded Alpine team since 2020 and landed his first F1 podium at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix for the then Renault team.
Speaking about the latest announcement Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi said:
“We are very proud to retain Esteban as part of the Alpine family.
“Since returning to the team in 2020, Esteban has grown in confidence and stature to deliver consistently good results and help develop the car with the team.”
Rossi went on to say that the 24-year-old’s age has no bearing on his level of maturity in the sport, and has described him as a ‘strong asset’ in the team.
“Despite his young age, he is very experienced in Formula 1 and he’s on a positive trajectory in both his maturity and ability behind the wheel,” he said.
“He is a strong asset for us now, and also going forward as we meet the challenge of the new regulations.
“We have every confidence in Esteban to help drive the team and the brand to the next level and meet its long-term objectives.
“Esteban is an asset for us beyond F1 as he is deeply involved in the Alpine global project.”
Speaking about the impending home Grand Prix this weekend, Rossi concluded; “Thanks to his personality and values, Esteban is naturally a perfect ambassador of Alpine.
“For now, we look forward to continuing the 2021 campaign at our home Grand Prix in France and doing the best possible job at every remaining race weekend.”
A delighted Esteban Ocon then added; “I’m delighted to continue with the team beyond this year and it’s a fantastic feeling to secure my future with Alpine.
“We’ve been progressing well together since I joined the team and I aim to continue that journey going forward.
“There are great challenges ahead of us, especially with the new regulations in 2022.
“I’m sure we can hit our targets by working hard together and continuing the story.
“I often think back to the Sakhir Grand Prix last year with the podium, and it motivates me to create more special memories like that.
“I’m really looking forward to the next chapter but, for now, we’re very much focused on this season and taking each race as it comes.”
