French Formula One driver Esteban Ocon on Thursday confirmed his “strong links” with Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team following Lewis Hamilton’s dramatic swap to Scuderia Ferrari after the tip of the 2024 season. Speaking to Sky Sports, Ocon mentioned that there is not any “secret” that he’s nonetheless a Mercedes junior driver. “I obviously still have strong links with Mercedes, I’m still a Mercedes junior driver, that is no secret to anyone,” Ocon mentioned as quoted by Sky Sports. The Alpine F1 Team driver added that this season he’s “totally dedicated” to his present French facet and searching ahead to the upcoming season of Formula One. “But I’m totally dedicated to Alpine this year, I’ve got 24 races to get through and we’ll see where we end up,” he mentioned.

“Formula 1 is fierce, a lot of things can happen, as we can see, but I’m ready to take on the challenge,” he added.

After information of Hamilton’s departure was confirmed, many names surfaced about who might exchange the seven-time World Champion.

Earlier, the Team Principal of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Toto Wolff confirmed that George Russell would be the subsequent “lead driver” of the staff after the tip of the 2024 season.

“With all the Lewis discussion, something that has not been talked about enough is George. George has the potential to be the next lead driver in the team. He is of the generation of Lando (Norris) and (Charles) Leclerc and some of the others,” mentioned Wolff, based on Sky Sports.

Last week, Ferrari surprised the sporting world by asserting that the seven-time world champion will be part of the Italian staff for the 2025 Formula One season on a multi-year contract.

The information brings an finish to Hamilton’s what’s at the moment a 17-year-long relationship in F1 with Mercedes-Benz and an 11-year-long partnership with the works staff.