Ocon to drive for Renault next season

Frenchman Esteban Ocon will join Australian Daniel Ricciardo at Renault from next season on a two-year contract, the French Formula One team said on Thursday.

Ocon, 22, is currently reserve driver with world champion team Mercedes, who announced earlier Thursday that Finland's Valtteri Bottas would remain with the team next season.

"We are very happy to work with Esteban for the next two seasons," said Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul in a team statement.

"Over his F1 career Esteban has experienced the highs and lows of the sport, and fully understood the need to seize every possible chance."