Several months after his breakthrough triumph in the sport at last year’s race in Hungary, Esteban Ocon will be honoured with his own grandstand at the 2022 French Grand Prix.
The honour, which is given to only a few drivers, will provide Ocon and Alpine fans with a central location to cheer on their favourite driver throughout the event at Circuit Paul Ricard on July 22-24.
Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, and Daniil Kvyat are just a few of the drivers who have driven by a grandstand dedicated solely to them in the past, and the tendency has been expanding in recent seasons. Also Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo had their own stands at their home races in Monaco and Australia, respectively.
Since Romain Grosjean for the 2020 French Grand Prix, no French driver has been honoured with his own grandstand. However, Circuit Paul Ricard’s contract with Formula One scheduled to end this year, the 2022 French Grand Prix could be the last of its kind.
The current Concorde Agreement limits the number of Grands Prix to 24 per calendar year. However, with Las Vegas, Qatar, and China all planning to return in 2023, the French event is fighting for a berth.
Fearful of losing his home race, Ocon has already promised to do “everything” he can to keep it on the schedule.
