Just two kids with an 'impossible dream'

Next year, Alpine will field an all-French line-up of established chargers with the hope of hearing 'La Marseillaise' whirling over F1's PA system on any given race day.

Formula 1's young generation of French drivers share a lot of history, having cut their teeth together in the ultra-competitive ranks of karting.

Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who both grew up in Normandy, played together as kids and battled together on local tracks as aspiring young racers.

Little did they know at the time that their passion and talent would carry them all the way up to motorsport's elite and eventually to the same team.

There's been much talk about an old lingering feud between the two drivers. But past offences or causes of conflict have long been forgotten.

"We were just two little kids from Normandy with an impossible dream," wrote Ocon on social media following the announcement of Gasly's move to Alpine.

"Welcome to the Alpine family Pierrot, let’s make our team and our country proud."

Ocon and Gasly's inner team rivalry at Alpine will be one that will be fascinating to watch next season.