Ocon reacts to contract extension: "There are big challenges ahead of us".

The contract extension shows that the team is confidennt that the Frenchman can help them climb up the grid. On the official Alpine site, the CEO of Alpine Cars, Laurent Rossi, reacts to the contract extension:

"We are very proud that Esteban remains part of the Alpine family. Since he returned to the team in 2020, Esteban has grown in confidence and stature to deliver consistently good results and help develop the car with the team. Despite his young age, he has a lot of experience in Formula 1 and is on a positive track in both his maturity and his ability behind the wheel. He is a strong asset for us now and in the future as we take on the challenge of the new regulations. We have every confidence in Esteban to take the team and the brand to the next level and meet our long-term goals. Esteban is also an asset to us outside F1, as he is closely involved in the global Alpine project. And of course, Esteban's personality and values make him a perfect Alpine ambassador. For now, we look forward to continuing the 2021 campaign at our home Grand Prix in France and doing the best job possible during each remaining race weekend."

Response from Ocon

Esteban Ocon also reacted to the news: "I am delighted to stay with the team after this year and it is a fantastic feeling to secure my future with Alpine. Since I joined the team we have made a lot of progress together and I want to continue that journey. There are big challenges ahead of us, especially with the new regulations in 2022. I am confident that we can achieve our goals by working hard together and continuing the story. I often think back to the Sakhir Grand Prix last year with the podium, and that motivates me to create more special memories like that. I'm really looking forward to the next chapter, but for now we're very focused on this season and taking each race as it comes."

Ocon scored his first F1 podium with the team at Sakhir last year, and is currently in 12th place in the Drivers' Championship this season. Along with Fernando Alonso, Ocon will help the team tackle the new 2022 regulations as Alpine strive to close the gap to the top teams.