Esteban Ocon to Keep Mercedes F1 Ties, With a Huge Caveat: Alpine CEO

Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi confirmed that French driver Esteban Ocon will keep his previously existing relations with Mercedes. Furthermore, Rossi has also assured that Silver Arrows have a no buy-out clause in the new contract that they offered Esteban Ocon.

Ocon was once part of the Mercedes driver program. He was also their reserve driver for the 2019 season. He didn’t take part in any race weekend that year.

Moreover, he was in talks with the Silver Arrows over potentially replacing Valtteri Bottas. But ultimately Mercedes continued with the Finnish driver.

The French driver, who recently penned down to his new three-year contract at Alpine F1, is in excellent form this season. Esteban Ocon has scored points four times in six instances.

He currently sits at P12 in the Drivers’ Championship just one point behind his teammate Fernando Alonso.

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What did Laurent Rossi say?

Speaking in Friday’s press conference, Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi admitted the Frenchman contract has been extender for three years and Mercedes has no clauses to exercise.

“He is a Mercedes-managed driver, so that is about it. He is constantly under their management,” said the Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi. “But there is no such clause as Mercedes putting him out of the team. No, he stays with us for the next three years.”

What did Esteban Ocon say after his contract extension?

After a strong start to the 2021 season, the Frenchman has been awarded a new 3-year contract until the end of the 2024 season.

“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,” said Esteban Ocon who claimed his first F1 podium finish for the team last December in Bahrain.

“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.”

Can Esteban Ocon continue to deliver convincing performances? What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.

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