Mercedes connection not turning Ocon's commitment to Alpine

Esteban Ocon has declared his commitment to the Alpine Formula 1 team despite his continued connection to Mercedes.

The former Mercedes junior enters into the final season of a two-year deal with Alpine - the team formerly known as Renault - this year.

Although Ocon severed ties with Mercedes in moving to the French manufacturer, he is still managed by its team principal Toto Wolff.

Ocon, though, is adamant his focus is with Alpine beyond this season.

"I don't know what the future will reserve for me," said Ocon. "Of course, at the moment I'm fully an Alpine driver, and I definitely see myself building a relationship and building from where we started.

"When I came to the team the challenge was to bring it closer to the top, improving year by year, and at some point fight for great results, fight for the opportunities, and there is an opportunity in 2022 with the new rule.

"I want to help the team to reach that level. My mind is here in Alpine, and that's where I want to be."

Wolff, though, recently mentioned Ocon as being part of the conundrum he faces for his 2022 driver line-up as Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and George Russell are all out of contract at the end of this year.

In an interview at the time with Speedweek, when asked about his options for 2022, Wolff said: "Ocon is in the second year of a two-year contract with Renault and Alpine F1, Russell is with Williams this year.

"So there is some variation for 2022, but until then our full support goes to Valtteri and Lewis.

"We will evaluate in the middle of the year whether there will be a change in 2022. It is surely too early now to talk about scenarios for 2022."

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