Official: Esteban Ocon joins Renault in 2020

The third time was good. Renault had already come close to signing Esteban Ocon in 2016, the year he served as a reservist at enstone, but especially last year before the unfortunate game of musical chairs that we know, following the recruitment of Daniel Ricciardo.

NEWS Renault F1 Team is pleased to confirm @OconEsteban will join forces with @danielricciardo from 2020. The French-Australian duo will be tasked with continuing the team's progress during its fifth season in F1.
https://t.co/vTCCRQsgzP#RSspirit pic.twitter.com/NiYyPMRA9f

- Renault F1 Team (@ RenaultF1Team) August 29

It's now official: the French manufacturer will field a French driver for the first time since 2009 and Romain Grosjean's F1 debut. After a year spent in the simulator Mercedes, the Norman will make his return to the grid. 

“My first feeling is pride in driving for Renault as a regular driver because I grew up in Enstone with Lotus and then Renault since 2010, explains the Frenchman. I have a lot of ties with this team and the people who make it up, they are the ones who opened the doors to high-level motorsport for me.

My second feeling is recognition because giving myself the opportunity to express myself again in F1 at the highest level in a team with great ambitions is a mark of confidence to which I am very sensitive. This confidence placed in me to participate in the progress of the team is a very positive pressure and I can't wait to be able to give the best of myself. » 

!! I'm back!! Delighted to announce I will be joining @renaultf1team . Exciting time ahead, can't wait
!! I'm back !! Very happy to announce that I am joining Renault F1 team, a team that has made me grow. Can't wait to get started # EO31 pic.twitter.com/M1dfJsBnXD

- Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) August 29

Toto wolff, the main Mercedes team, has often repeated that Ocon represents an option for the German team in 2020 but the German manufacturer finally decided in favor of Valtteri Bottas, renewed for a season earlier this Thursday.

Ocon's promotion at Renault will be at the expense of Nico Hulkenberg, who has been riding in Jaune-et-Noir since 2017 and will have greatly contributed to the recovery of the French team, as highlighted by the main team Cyril Abiteboul.

“I would like to thank Nico for his extraordinary involvement and his massive contribution to the progress of the team over the past 3 seasons. When Nico decided to join us the team was 9th, he brought us to 4th place last year and he ranked 7th.

The expiry of his contract led us to a difficult choice as Nico was a pillar of this progression. The first part of this season is more delicate but I know I can count on him so that together we succeed in the second. » 

The boss has already assigned a mission to his future pilot. “Beyond his talent, his mission will be to let us benefit from his natural energy and desire, exacerbated by a year without racing. It's up to us to include them in the new dynamic into which the team must enter.

In recent years he has shown his ability to score points, great professionalism on and off the track and his recent experience as a reserve driver for the current best team will be a valuable asset to help the entire team progress. whole. » 

Ocon has 50 Grand Prix starts with his best result a pair of 5th places acquired in Spain and Mexico with Force India in 2017.