Esteban Ocon's Formula 1 future is looking increasingly secure after it was revealed that the Frenchman's management was in talks with Alpine to renew his contract for 2022 and beyond.

Ocon's future at the Enstone-based team looked increasingly doubtful coming into the 2021 season, with rumours swirling that karting rival Pierre Gasly or Renault juniors Guanyu Zhou, Christian Lundgaard and Oscar Piastri were in contention to partner Fernando Alonso at Alpine in 2022.

However, Ocon has had an excellent start to the 2021 season with three consecutive points finishes and is currently in ninth in the driver's standings coming into this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

With his contract due to expire at the end of the year, Alpine and Ocon's management led by Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff have been keen to start talks for a new contract. 

Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi discussed to Autosport/Motorsport.com about the 24-year old's future contract as well as his happiness with Ocon's start to the season.

"Esteban is doing everything to make me consider keeping him in the team. I would be remiss if I didn’t think about it. At the moment, we are already engaged in some conversations with his agent, his management team, Mercedes at large."

"Esteban is a great driver, so I’m happy to have that type of problem - which is not one actually!"

Rossi also confirmed that Gasly was not on Alpine's list for 2022, with the team wanting to stick with their current lineup to continue the momentum gained from the first four rounds of the championship.

“We’re not looking at any drivers for next year, because at the moment, I’m considering obviously Esteban as we mentioned earlier on, and Fernando is here next year with us.

“So if we want to carry on on the momentum we have, we’ll do that. Pierre is obviously a great driver of value, but at the moment, this is not on the cards, I would say.”