Ocon warms up with Alpine at Paul Ricard

©Alpine

Esteban Ocon had a chance on Monday to warm up and stretch his legs ahead of the 2021 season with a run at Paul Ricard onboard a 2018-spec Renault R.S.18.

The Frenchman is on the eve of his second season with the rebranded French outfit which will also field F1 returnee Fernando Alonso.

Ocon took over on Monday from Alpine junior Christian Lundgaard who had clocked up 100 laps the day before with the R.S.18.

"It felt great, I had a really good day," said Ocon, sporting his Alpine team's new colors. "It's the best way of getting back into the rhythm.

"So we feel very prepared, very ready for Bahrain. It's also felt really good to be back to the Paul Ricard and I can't wait to race in the French Grand Prix again."

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.