After a good start to the season for Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, he seems to have fumbled. With a DNF at the last race in the Red Bull Ring, Ocon saw the exigency to change his machine. As a result, the team has reportedly given Ocon a new Alpine Formula 1 chassis to rid him of any uncertainty.

After the first lap retirement at Austria, Alpine’s executive director Marcin Budkowski confirmed a new chassis for Ocon. “Esteban had two difficult races in Austria and we’re still investigating whether there are any technical reasons behind it.

“To eradicate any doubt, the team has made the decision to make extensive changes to his car for Silverstone, including a new chassis,” Budkowski added.

Silverstone presents the perfect opportunity for Ocon to recuperate. The sprint format almost levels the playing field and tenders a chance for fresh competition and points.

Alpine’s contract extension with Esteban Ocon

After a year on the sidelines as Mercedes’ reserve driver, Ocon found his way back to Renault in 2020. Now, Alpine the team has given Ocon the pedestal he needs to distinguish himself as a driver. The extension “highlights the team’s belief in the Frenchman as a star of the sport and its commitment to its long-term goal of World Championship success.”

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Ocon was just as happy to continue with the team. “I’m delighted to continue with the team beyond this year and it’s a fantastic feeling to secure my future with Alpine.”

He added, “I’m really looking forward to the next chapter but, for now, we’re very much focused on this season and taking each race as it comes.”

The Frenchman has scored points in four of the six races this season and has managed to outqualify his much more experienced teammate, Fernando Alonso.

Ocon has had a difficult career in F1. Nonetheless, it hasn’t stopped him from achieving what he wants. The recent string of events is only a hiccup to the rest of the season for Ocon.

He said, “The team and I have been working very hard behind the scenes to see what we can do to improve our performance.”

The appeal for changes to his car only shows that Ocon wants more.

Do you think the Frenchman will get back to outqualifying Alonso? Or has the latter’s experience put him ahead of Ocon for the rest of the season? Let us know in the comments.

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