Never has a pilot within the Enstone construction spent 5 seasons as a starter with the workforce within the twenty first century, Michael Schumacher being the final to take action, from 1991 to 1995. Esteban Ocon thus walks within the footsteps of his childhood hero by having signed this new three-year contract with Alpine, till the tip of 2024, whereas he's at present in his second marketing campaign with the French workforce.
In lower than 5 years, Schumacher had led Benetton to 2 world titles; Can Ocon do the identical? The Frenchman is cautious to not over-ambition, Alpine remaining firmly established in the course of the desk, however he however reveled in an settlement that secures his future in Formula 1 and will deliver him stability and continuity, to not point out the chance. that can symbolize the brand new technical rules of 2022.
“Very, very happy to continue for a few more years with the team”, Ocon mentioned within the Daily Sport on Canal + Sport. “I am very involved in the development of the car, whether for this year but also for next year. We are working very hard to try, of course, to obtain a car that can fight, make top 5, climbing on podiums frequently and winning races. That's our goal and that's why we had a common challenge with the team. “
“I feel a lot better integrated than the first year. That's why I'm very happy to continue with the team. I know the people to count on, to work with. I know the people are going to be with me. in the hard times as in the good times. I can't wait for us to be able to create new memories like we created last year in Bahrain with the podium and to make more and more of them. “
On the Alpine aspect, we're joyful to maintain a driver whose efficiency up to now has nothing to envy that of a double World Champion who has simply returned to Formula 1, Fernando Alonso. Laurent Rossi is nonetheless not stunned by the success of the one who received the F3 Europe in 2014 and the GP3 in 2015.
“I was already convinced when I arrived that Esteban was an excellent driver since I have been passionate about his career for a very long time now, since I have been on the Renault executive committee”, underlined the CEO of Alpine, who joined Renault in January 2018, in the identical program. “I wanted to make sure he was in our stable as long as possible. It's a good move, as they say.”
“We built a performance bubble. We made sure that the team really listened to their feedback. In doing so, it allowed them to really give the full measure of their talent. With a two-time champion teammate. world in Fernando, he has shown that he is consistently at least a level playing field, both posting similar times every weekend, and Esteban has shown great consistency since the start of the season. “
It is now a query of successful the battle for fifth place within the constructors' championship in opposition to AlphaTauri and Aston Martin, who're already 14 and 12 steps forward respectively.