I'd love Fernando Alonso as my team-mate at Renault - Esteban Ocon

Renault

I'd love Alonso as my team-mate at Renault - Ocon

Daniel Ricciardo's departure leaves a seat available in 2021

Ian Parkes

Thursday 2 July 2020 16:18 Updated: 17:55

Esteban Ocon has revealed he would love to see Fernando Alonso return to Formula 1 and become his team-mate with Renault from next year.

Renault is currently weighing up its options following Daniel Ricciardo's decision to leave the team at the end of this year to join McLaren, with Alonso and Sebastian Vettel understood to be top of the shortlist.

With Ocon with the team on a two-year contract, he heads into the new campaign that starts in Austria on Sunday partly wondering who will be alongside him in 2021 - his preferred option that of double world champion Alonso.

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Asked at Thursday's FIA driver press conference at the Red Bull Ring, Ocon said: "I always respond honestly, and my personal choice has no relation to what the team is going to do.

"But I have a great relationship with Fernando. The helmet I have, and the only swap I did with the drivers, was with him. He was the one, with Michael [Schumacher], his fights back in the days, and that gave me the love for the sport.

"I don't know if he is going to join or not with us, but definitely, if he could come back with me then I would be very happy."

Put on the spot as to his choice between Alonso and Vettel, whom he partnered at Red Bull in 2014, Ricciardo also sided with the Spaniard.

"I would only say Alonso because it's something I've yet to experience, and I think team-mates are great benchmarks, also great additions to your skillset. You can always learn something," said Ricciardo.

"I don't believe there is any driver in this sport that's been perfect yet, but there's always an improvement to make, so I'd say, Fernando."

But with a nod to his past relationship with Vettel, Ricciardo added: "In that as well, I only had 12 months with Seb, and that went pretty quickly so I wouldn't be opposed to that again."

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