Esteban Ocon says Renault’s transformation in the three years he’d been away made its headquarters unrecognisable and he﷽’s been impressed by the improvements made.

Ocon’s first links into⛦ F1 came through Renault’s former guise as Lotus back in 2014 when he was a junior driver and he continued to rise up the ranks making it to Renault’s reserve driver role for 2016.

But with greater opportunities offered as a Mercedes-backed driver, the Frenchman left the Renault fold officially from 2017 until he returned this year to replace Nico Hulkenberg in its line-up alongside Daniel Ricci🌜ardo.

With three years away from Enstone and Viryꦯ, Ocon says he was surprised by the developments at both its team and engines bases – to the point he didn’t recognise each place.

“I already know some of the team, but it’s changed a lot since wh𓂃en I left in 2016. In Formula 1, things evolve quickly and everything at Renault has grown a lot,” Ocon said. “I think it will help me settle down quickly and be ready for the first race.

“I’m very imp🌞ressed. I grew up at Enstone when I was younger, and it seems a lot has changed. When I visited the factory for the first time in 2019, I couldn’t find my way around! A lot of it is new, there are more people and it’s all very good. It will give us a boost this year.”

Having made his official Renault return at the 2019 post-season Abu Dhabi test, Ocon is relishing h🅰is first on-track experience of the team’s new caꩲr, the R.S.20, at the start of pre-season testing next week.

“It’s very exciting and I can’t wait to test the new car in Barcelona,” 🌜he said. “We’ve had a lot of time to prepare, and I’m feeling ready for the challenge.

“It was beneficial having the Abu Dhabi test in December as it meant I could get used to everyone as well as e💙xperiencing last year’s Renault F1 Team car, whic🌞h is the starting point for the 2020 car.”