Ocon gets green light to join Renault at Abu Dhabi F1 test
Esteban Ocon will officially join Renault on Monday 2nd December from Mercedes and will take part in the post-season Abu Dhabi test at the Yas Marina Circuit.
The French driver signed for Renault back in August but given his existing Mercedes role as test and reserve driver it had been unclear when he would be allowed to officially move to the Enstone-based team.
Esteban Ocon will officially join Renault on Monday 2nd December from Mercedes and will take part in the post-season Abu Dhabi test at the Yas Marina Circuit.
The French driver signed for Renault back in August but given his existing Mercedes role as test and reserve driver it had been unclear when he would be allowed to officially move to the Enstone-based team.
Last year Daniel Ricciardo wasn’t permitted to take part in the post-season Abu Dhabi test with Renault due to his Red Bull contract which did not expire until the end of 2018.
But it appears Renault and Mercedes have come to a mutual agreement to allow Ocon to start work at Renault once the 2019 Formula 1 world championship season finale, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, is over on Sunday 1st December.
Ocon has spent this year on the sidelines after losing his race seat at Racing Point to Lance Stroll. After a season as test and reserve driver at Mercedes, Ocon has split from the German manufacturer to join to Renault on a two-year deal.
The 23-year-old replaces Nico Hulkenberg in the Renault driver line-up from 2020 alongside Ricciardo.
"We are very happy to work with Esteban for the next two seasons," Cyril Abiteboul, Renault team principal, said when Ocon was announced as a Renault driver in August.
"Over his F1 career Esteban has experienced the highs and lows of the sport, and fully understood the need to seize every possible chance. In addition to lending his natural talent, Esteban’s aim will be to focus his natural energy and drive, both of which have been intensified by a year away from racing. It is then up to us to infuse them into the next phase of the team’s progress."
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— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) November 20, 2019
Esteban Ocon will officially join Renault F1 Team on Monday 2nd December and will take part in both test days at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on 3rd and 4th December.#RSspirit pic.twitter.com/NthLLSZZlc
