Renault F1 Makes It Official, Signs Esteban Ocon For 2020

Renault F1 have confirmed that 22-year old driver Esteban Ocon will team up with Daniel Ricciardo for the 2020 season and beyond.

Ocon is joining the French outfit on a multiple year contract, after spending the past three years with Manor, Force India and lately with Mercedes as a reserve driver for 2019. His best year by far was 2018, when he scored a total of 49 points while at Force India.

“We are very happy to work with Esteban for the next two seasons. Over his F1 career Esteban has experienced the highs and lows of the sport, and fully understood the need to seize every possible chance,” said team principal Cyril Abiteboul.

“In addition to lending his natural talent, Esteban’s aim will be to focus his natural energy and drive, both of which have been intensified by a year away from racing. It is then up to us to infuse them into the next phase of the team’s progress. He has shown his ability to score points, has great professionalism on and off the track, plus his recent experience as reserve driver to the current world champions will be a valuable asset to the development of our entire team.”

Coincidentally, Ocon should have joined Renault for 2019, but those plans fell through after the team managed to pull off a shocking move for Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo.

Also read: Renault’s 2019 F1 Engine Now Produces Over 1,000 HP In Qualifying Trim

As for how the young Frenchman feels about his 2020 F1 seat, he had this to say: “First and foremost, I am very proud to become a Renault driver. I have grown up at Enstone, starting with Lotus in 2010 and then with Renault. I am very attached to this team and everyone who works there; they are the ones who opened the doors of top level motorsport for me.”

“Secondly, I am pleased that a team with big ambitions has entrusted me with the opportunity to once again demonstrate my skills at the highest level of F1. It is a responsibility I take very seriously. The confidence they have in me to help the progression of the team is a very positive pressure and I look forward to giving the best of myself.”

Ocon’s signing also means that Nico Hulkenberg will leave Renault when this season is over – rumors have him replacing Romain Grosjean at Haas.