Ocon: "I want to start the season at the same level as I finished last year"

Esteban Ocon will be a driver for the team from Enstone, just like in 2020. This time he will drive under the name of Alpine instead of Renault and in Fernando Alonso, he will have a new teammate to beat.

Ocon had a rough start to 2020, often failing to keep up with teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Later in the season, things seemed to improve and towards the end of the season, he even scored his first podium: a second place in the Sakhir Grand Prix. The Frenchman is ready for his second year with the team.

Looking forward to Bahrain

“I’m very much looking forward to starting the season and having the first taste of the A521 in Bahrain. It’s been a long and busy off-season full of preparation and I, along with the team, feel ready for the year ahead," Ocon said in the Alpine press release.

"I love the new Alpine colours and as a Frenchman, it’s a great pride to carry the French flag on the car. I feel more prepared than last year and I think that’s just natural as I’m entering this season having had a full year racing in 2020."

Keeping the form strong

Ocon produced his best results at the end of the 2020 season. As mentioned above, Ocon finished 2nd in Sakhir. He scored points in each of the last three races of the season. Looking ahead to the coming season which starts later this month, Ocon wants to continue this form. 

"I want to start the season at the same level as I finished last year, and I can’t see any reasons why that can’t be the case. Working with Fernando is going to be fantastic. He’s a driver I’ve looked up to and a person I’ve taken inspiration from since a long time. I look forward to collaborating with him and pushing him on track to ensure the team meets its goals," he added.