Mercedes has granted Esteban Ocon an early release to join Renault for next week’s Pirelli test in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman will make his return to the Formula 1 grid in 2020 after losing his seat at Racing Point to Lance Stroll for this season.
In the meantime, Ocon spent 2019 as reserve driver at Mercedes, where he was also a junior driver, and has completed some tyre testing in recent months.
But when Toto Wolff opted to keep Valtteri Bottas alongside Lewis Hamilton for next year during the summer, a return to the French manufacturer was agreed.
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The 22-year-old has worked with Renault before as a development driver and was linked to a move for this year before the opportunity to sign Daniel Ricciardo from Red Bull arose.
That move was simply delayed by 12 months instead and now Ocon will step behind the 2019 car on both days of running on Tuesday and Wednesday at Yas Marina next week.