F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Wolff: Alpine will have first call over Ocon's future

Toto Wolff says Alpine and Esteban Ocon will need to clarify their future together before Mercedes enters any discussions with the Frenchman over 2022.

Ocon is in the final season of a two-year deal with Alpine, but the 24-year-old is also contracted to Mercedes for the longer term. As such, the Frenchman is seen as a potential candidate for a seat at the Brackley squad in 2022 along with fellow Mercedes protégé George Russell.

But before considering Ocon as an option for next year, Wolff wants clarity from Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi on its future plans involving its current driver.

"It's a little bit of a weird situation, because he's been a Mercedes junior for a long time, and he's an Alpine works driver now," Wolff said last weekend in Barcelona.

"That's fact. I think the situation is good for him there. He's growing, he's putting in the performances. He's French. All that is very much the stars aligning.

"I think it needs to be Laurent and Esteban's call first, how to continue, before we start to give an opinion."

Ocon has enjoyed a strong start to his 2022 campaign . Save for the opening race in Bahrain, the Alpine charger has outqualified teammate Fernando Alonso on each occasion and finished every time in the top ten.

Wolff admitted to being "impressed" by Ocon's performance year-to-date. But the latter says he's focused first and foremost on his current commitment to Alpine.

"What I'm focusing on is to do a good job here, at Alpine," Ocon said. "I think we have to be glad with our progress, and I'm glad with the progress I've made as well this year.

"I'm focusing on delivering the best I can each single race, so you know, for sure if you perform, there will be always talks and things going on.

"But my aim is to deliver for the team that I'm racing at, and my home is here at the moment."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Alonso pushed through agonizing pain to complete Sao Paulo GP

Fernando Alonso braved both physical agony and mechanical challenges in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix,…

27 mins ago

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

15 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

16 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

18 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

20 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

21 hours ago