Ocon still part of Mercedes: 'Working with Alpine'

Esteban Ocon is under contract to Alpine, but is still linked to Mercedes. This is revealed by Gwen Lagrue, the head of Mercedes training, in conversation with The Race. Does a future at the German racing stable lie ahead for Ocon?

Esteban Ocon's career in Formula 1 has had quite a few ups and downs. The Frenchman made his debut at Manor, was favoured over Pascal Wehrlein at Force India, was thrown out of that team in favour of Lance Stroll and, after a year away, was given a chance at Alpine. All the while helped by Mercedes, and still is, it now appears.

Ocon was part of the Mercedes training programme and was helped by Toto Wolff 's team to a seat at Manor and Force India. When Ocon was sidelined in 2019, he was allowed to learn from Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes as a reserve driver. Mercedes then helped him get a seat at Alpine.

''He's still very linked to us. He's an Alpine driver, and he's fully committed to Alpine, but we're still managing his career. There are only 20 seats in Formula 1, and we are in a way pretty much all collaborating in the best interests of the sport. And in our case we have a very good relationship with Alpine and with others. And we always try to find the best solution to work together in the best interest of the team and the driver,'' Lagrue said.

The good cooperation between Alpine and Mercedes is not only evident in the Ocon deal. Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher will also race for Alpine in 2024. The German will drive in Alpine's WEC programme, in addition to his responsibilities for Mercedes' F1 team.