F1 News
Abiteboul says Ocon will be a "valuable asset" to the development of Renault
Esteban Ocon will be a Renault driver during the 2020 Formula 1 season. The team announced the deal on Thursday afternoon ahead of the Belgium Grand Prix just hours after Mercedes announced Valtteri Bottas' contract extension. Team boss Cyril Abiteboul believes Ocon will be a "valuable asset".
Ocon, who was forced to sit out of the 2019 Formula 1 season, was expected to join Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes but Bottas has upped his game and secured his seat for at least another year.
Abiteboul spoke highly of Ocon after the deal announcement.
"We are very happy to work with Esteban for the next two seasons. Over his F1 career Esteban has experienced the highs and lows of the sport, and fully understood the need to seize every possible chance," Abiteboul said.
"In addition to lending his natural talent, Esteban’s aim will be to focus his natural energy and drive, both of which have been intensified by a year away from racing. It is then up to us to infuse them into the next phase of the team’s progress. He has shown his ability to score points, has great professionalism on and off the track, plus his recent experience as reserve driver to the current world champions will be a valuable asset to the development of our entire team."