SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium -- Esteban Ocon will make a return to Formula One in 2020 as Nico Hulkenberg's replacement at Renault.
Shortly after Valtteri Bottas' new Mercedes deal was confirmed on Thursday, another piece of the jigsaw for next year fell into place as Renault confirmed the French driver would be joining the team on a two-year deal. Ocon had been in the running to replace Bottas but team boss Toto Wolff did what he was unable to do this time last year and secure him a place elsewhere on the grid.
The highly-rated Ocon beat junior rival Max Verstappen to the European Formula 3 championship in 2014 before claiming the GP3 championship the following year.