Esteban Ocon's multi-year Alpine deal and what it means for F1 driver market ahead of 'silly season'

On Wednesday, news broke that French Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon signed a new, multi-year contract with Alpine. The news, while not entirely unexpected, was nevertheless welcome. The young French driver’s consistency and speed in the car was evident for all to see. Indeed, he has also consistently outpaced his more illustrious teammate – two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. Given the team signed Alonso on a two-year deal, this means that Alpine’s driver line-up for 2022 is now set. In fact, one would argue that in securing both their drivers, Alpine are set for both the short and long-term future.

The move follows a trend in recent years, wherein teams get their driver business done early and prefer multi-year contracts. Unlike in previous times, last minute and short-term deals are an exception.

That being said, Ocon’s future being decided also has a ripple effect on the driver’s market. Especially at the top of the food chain at Mercedes.

Route clear for George Russell at Mercedes?

Esteban Ocon, aside from being one of the more promising drivers on the grid right now, is also a Mercedes junior driver. His F3 career saw him managed by none other than Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

Given the uncertainty around Valtteri Bottas’ future at the team, many believed Mercedes would look to promote from within. Realistically, that leaves them two options – Ocon or Williams driver George Russell.

Russell is held back currently by a poor Williams car, but his ability behind the whell is well-known. Last year, during the Sakhir GP, he deputised for Lewis Hamilton when the world champion tested positive for Covid-19.

Amazingly, Russell was on course for a win. He even pulled off a daring overtake of Bottas, but wheel trouble denied him what would surely have been a maiden F1 win.

With Ocon’s future now secure, Russell seems the likeliest candidate to fill that vacancy – that is, of course, if one assumes there is a vacancy.

But there is no smoke without fire, and Bottas has come under plenty of that lately from Wolff. What’s more, the Finn has said he is ‘open-minded‘ about the future.

That’s not something anyone says if they aren’t at least inclined to listening to offers.

How Esteban Ocon deal affects other teams, drivers

Of course, Ocon’s future being sorted also means one destination less for Bottas or anyone else on the move. The Finn’s options, as things stand, are limited.

A move to Red Bull cannot be ruled out, especially since Sergio Perez only signed for a year. But the Mexican’s recent improvement – including a win in the Azerbaijan GP – means any talk of a change seems presumptuous at best.

Ferrari’s driver line-up is even more sorted, with both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz on multi-year deals. The exact same thing is true about McLaren.

That leaves AlphaTauri, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Williams and Haas. AlphaTauri are Red Bull’s developmental side, meaning a move for Bottas is unlikely at best.

Indeed, Ocon’s long term deal rules out any move for Pierre Gasly, who’s been linked to Alpine on a number of occasions.

Aston Martin also seem fairly well set, with both Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll set to continue for the immediate future. Alfa Romeo, Haas and Williams are teams firmly at the back of the grid.

What’s more, all teams seem happy with their current drivers. There’s always a chance that Mercedes snare up Russell, or that Kimi Raikkonen finally retires. That aside, there’s little chances of any driver changes in these teams.

Quieter silly season than normal?

‘Silly season’ is the informal term given to the time when teams announce new driver line-ups. Similar to the transfer market in football but with far fewer moving parts, it does generate stories and rumours aplenty.

However, as things stand, most teams seem to have their driver line-ups for the next season sorted. Of course, things can change in a hurry in this sport and there’s every chance teams might want to bring in fresh blood.

But overall, the focus of teams now is to build for the long-term – especially with the new regulations coming into effect from next season onwards.

Perhaps that, as well as the idea of stability being accepted in the F1 paddock, means silly season won’t be all that silly as things stand.