Esteban Ocon admits that it would be unwise to ponder replacing Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025, having cited he retains “strong links” to the team.
Hamilton has escalated the driver market situation heading into next season after electing to activate a break clause in his Mercedes contract to seal a deal with Ferrari.
Among the options being linked with the Briton’s vacant Mercedes seat for next year, Ocon has been speculated as a candidate because of his existing ties with the brand.
The Frenchman progressed into F1 as a Mercedes junior driver and it was revealed last year that the Brackley squad’s team boss Toto Wolff still manages his racing career.
But while Ocon, who is out of contract at the end of this year, has confirmed that claim, he has outlined that his immediate focus is on delivering a strong campaign with Alpine.
Speaking at the launch of Alpine’s A524 challenger at Enstone on Wednesday, Ocon said: “It’s clear that we have links with Mercedes, I’m managed by Mercedes for a long time now, since 2015. I’m a Merc junior, even if I’m not that junior [in age] anymore!
“But we’ll see what the future holds. At the moment I’m completely dedicated to Alpine.
“What I have to do with the team, the plan that we have ahead as well, and that’s the whole focus I need to have because these things are very disruptive focus-wise.
“And that’s why I have a very competitive management team that’s able to take the right choices on where we have to be. So I’m not worried and my focus is on the track.”
He added: “It doesn’t matter if you have a contract or not, if you don’t perform in F1 you are out, it doesn’t matter what problem it is.
“Obviously, I’m going into the year thinking [that] I want to do the best I can and maximise the potential. And if I do that at every race, there will always be opportunities and satisfaction by teams. And there will be rumours and talks, and that’s a good thing.
“If you do a good job, there is always these kind of things. But I’m completely dedicated to Alpine for this year. And we’ll see what the future holds.”
With several drivers available on the market for next season, Ocon asserts that removing any uncertainty beyond this year in the coming months would be an ideal outcome.
When asked if he expected the team to begin discussions over a long-term deal, Ocon replied: “The sooner, always the better.
“Because this year more than anything else, there is 15 drivers [out of contract for 2025], so it’s going to be chaos out there for sure. And it’s a big silly season, so we’ll see.”
Ocon hinted that he would be prepared to extend his lengthy association with the Enstone side, having served as a reserve driver when it was known as Renault in 2016.
“I feel very good here,” the 27-year-old commented. “It’s been many years consecutive you know that I’m racing here. I’m part of the family for a very long time.
“But in Formula 1 you don’t know what can happen. We’ll see what the future brings.
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