Szafnauer says the Frenchman’s only weakness is that he can take too long to find the limits at the start of the race weekend.
Aston Martin announced last week that it had signed Alonso for 2023, and it is not yet clear who will replace him at Enstone.
The team had hoped to place reserve driver Oscar Piastri in the seat and announced it last Tuesday.
However, the Aussie is said to have signed a contract with McLaren and quickly took to social media to deny he will be racing for Alpine next year.
While Alpine is still pursuing its claim on Piastri, with the matter set to go to the Contract Recognition Board, team management is now considering other drivers.
The list includes ex-Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg, but many candidates have less experience than Ocon, potentially leaving him as de facto team boss next year.
Szafnauer says Ocon proved his worth alongside Sergio Perez at Force India/Racing Point in 2017 and 2018.
“Esteban is a super talent,” he noted. “I worked with him at Force India and that was when Sergio Perez was his teammate.
“And he was as fast as Sergio and raced hard with Sergio, and if you remember those days they were always together on the grid. And sometimes they even joined in the races! And you see what Sergio is up to. able.
Esteban Ocon, Alpine F1 Team, Otmar Szafnauer, Team Principal, Alpine F1, and Fernando Alonso, Alpine F1 Team
Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
“With Fernando too, although Fernando has the skill and talent to get a lap out of the car very quickly.
“He needs three or four laps and he’s at 99 per cent, or 99.9 per cent, and that extra 0.1 per cent comes with a few more laps, if you know what I mean, as Esteban takes a little more time to get the most out of the car.
“But finally, Saturday, then Sunday, he is there. So he needs to learn a bit to get there a bit faster. But we are working with him on that.
“And afterwards, can he lead the team? He is definitely getting better and better. He has a race win to his credit. He scored some good points for us this year. And he will know more by next year.
Szafnauer says the Frenchman’s only weakness is that he can take too long to find the limits at the start of the race weekend.
Aston Martin announced last week that it had signed Alonso for 2023, and it is not yet clear who will replace him at Enstone.
The team had hoped to place reserve driver Oscar Piastri in the seat and announced it last Tuesday.
However, the Aussie is said to have signed a contract with McLaren and quickly took to social media to deny he will be racing for Alpine next year.
While Alpine is still pursuing its claim on Piastri, with the matter set to go to the Contract Recognition Board, team management is now considering other drivers.
The list includes ex-Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg, but many candidates have less experience than Ocon, potentially leaving him as de facto team boss next year.
Szafnauer says Ocon proved his worth alongside Sergio Perez at Force India/Racing Point in 2017 and 2018.
“Esteban is a super talent,” he noted. “I worked with him at Force India and that was when Sergio Perez was his teammate.
“And he was as fast as Sergio and raced hard with Sergio, and if you remember those days they were always together on the grid. And sometimes they even joined in the races! And you see what Sergio is up to. able.
Esteban Ocon, Alpine F1 Team, Otmar Szafnauer, Team Principal, Alpine F1, and Fernando Alonso, Alpine F1 Team
Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
“With Fernando too, although Fernando has the skill and talent to get a lap out of the car very quickly.
“He needs three or four laps and he’s at 99 per cent, or 99.9 per cent, and that extra 0.1 per cent comes with a few more laps, if you know what I mean, as Esteban takes a little more time to get the most out of the car.
“But finally, Saturday, then Sunday, he is there. So he needs to learn a bit to get there a bit faster. But we are working with him on that.
“And afterwards, can he lead the team? He is definitely getting better and better. He has a race win to his credit. He scored some good points for us this year. And he will know more by next year.