After 12 months on the F1 side-lines, it’s been verified that Esteban Ocon will return to Formula 1 in 2020, with the Frenchman set to power for the Renault team that he used to be reserve driver for in 2016, in area of Nico Hulkenberg.
Having spent 2019 as Mercedes’ third and reserve driver after dropping his power at Racing Point at the cease of 2018, 22-year-old Ocon will make his racing return with Renault alongside Daniel Ricciardo on a multi-year deal with the Anglo-French team.
“First and foremost, I am very proud to turn out to be a Renault driver,” stated Ocon. “I have grown up at Enstone, starting with Lotus in 2010 and then with Renault. I am very attached to this group and all people who works there; they are the ones who opened the doorways of pinnacle level motorsport for me.
“Secondly, I am pleased that a crew with large ambitions has entrusted me with the opportunity to once again demonstrate my skills at the best possible level of F1. It is a accountability I take very seriously. The self belief they have in me to assist the development of the team is a very high quality strain and I seem forward to giving the fine of myself.”
“We are very joyful to work with Esteban for the next two seasons,” stated Renault Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “Over his F1 profession Esteban has skilled the highs and lows of the sport, and entirely understood the need to trap every possible chance. In addition to lending his herbal talent, Esteban’s aim will be to center of attention his natural electricity and drive, both of which have been intensified by way of a year away from racing. It is then up to us to infuse them into the subsequent segment of the team’s progress.
“He has proven his potential to score points, has exceptional professionalism on and off the track, plus his recent experience as reserve driver to the modern world champions will be a treasured asset to the improvement of our entire team.”
Ocon’s affirmation for 2020 ability Hulkenberg, who joined the team in 2017, now finds himself except a pressure in area for next year.
It remains unclear where he will end up, though Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner is stated to be fascinated in the German’s services if the group figure out not to retain Romain Grosjean for 2020.
“I wish to thank Nico for his exceptional involvement and large contribution to our growth over the previous three seasons,” he said. “When Nico decided to be a part of us, the crew used to be ninth. He added us to fourth area last year, and was once categorized seventh in the drivers’ championship.
“The imminent end of his contract made this choice a hard one as Nico has been a pillar of this progress. The first phase of this season has been extra challenging, however I be aware of we can depend on him and supply collectively during the 2d half of of the year.”
Renault’s confirmation of Ocon follows warm on the heels of Mercedes’ announcement that they would keep Valtteri Bottas’s offerings for 2020, with Ocon having in the past been understood to be in the jogging for the drive alongside Lewis Hamilton.
