New Delhi, Feb. 8 -- French Formula One driver Esteban Ocon on Thursday confirmed his "strong links" with Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team following Lewis Hamilton's dramatic switch to Scuderia Ferarri after the end of the 2024 season.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Ocon said that there's no "secret" that he is still a Mercedes junior driver.

"I obviously still have strong links with Mercedes, I'm still a Mercedes junior driver, that is no secret to anyone," Ocon said as quoted by Sky Sports.

The Alpine F1 Team driver added that this season he is "totally dedicated" to his current French side and looking forward to the upcoming season of Formula One.

"But I'm totally dedicated to Alpine this year, I've got 24 races to get through and we'll see ...