Ocon to join Renault for post-Abu Dhabi GP test
Mercedes has agreed to release Esteban Ocon early to join the Renault Formula 1 team for the post-Abu Dhabi Grand Prix test next month.
The Frenchman, who is Mercedes' current reserve driver but will race alongside Daniel Ricciardo at Renault next season, will join the French squad on December 2, the day after the Abu Dhabi GP.
He will then take part in the 2020 Pirelli tyre test, driving the yellow car on both the Tuesday and the Wednesday.
Ocon retains a management relationship with Mercedes and will still be on call as reserve driver until the qualifying session in Abu Dhabi.
Ocon gained his first proper F1 experience with the Enstone team at Abu Dhabi in 2014, when he drove a Lotus-Renault E22 in FP1 and again in testing the following week.
He had previously driven older cars in private tests and demos.
His last F1 track mileage was logged at Paul Ricard in October, when he participated in 2020 Pirelli testing with the current Mercedes W10.
With Ocon gone and Lewis Hamilton on Petronas promotional duties, Williams driver George Russell might be drafted in by Mercedes for the Pirelli test, which would potentially give more track time at Williams to Nicholas Latifi.
The Canadian is expected to be confirmed as a race driver by the Grove outfit.
Share Or Save This Story
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Esteban Ocon: ‘Haas may be testing new drivers, but drivers aren’t the problem’
Ferrari’s ADUO 2 upgrade is no “game changer” for Haas either
You Ask The Questions: Esteban Ocon
“I went back to the car and cried” – Esteban Ocon opens up about his unexpected year on F1 sidelines
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
On this day: Michael Schumacher’s final unsportsmanlike manoeuvre
The NASCAR Trucks Chase is about The Big Three, but who else?
Andrea Stella: McLaren must help Oscar Piastri stop "thinking" about how to drive '26 F1 car
Gateway was a race of opportunity for drivers with several posting season-best results
Christian Rasmussen reunites with Era Motorsport for IMSA’s Indianapolis sprint round
F1 doesn't need to change its VSC rules despite Lando Norris' Spain loss
Why Lando Norris doesn’t buy George Russell’s driving style theory
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
How Norris unfurled a surprising - and "unrepeatable" - Spanish GP pole lap
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments