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Mercedes concerned Ocon could be stranded

Mercedes concerned Ocon could be stranded

Mercedes concerned Ocon could be stranded

Mercedes concerned Ocon could be stranded

Mercedes are concerned that Esteban Ocon could be left without a Formula 1 drive in 2019 as he shapes up to be a big loser of the driver market chaos prompted by Daniel Ricciardo's move to Renault. Ocon had been expected to join the French team until they secured a stunning swoop for the Red Bull star.

Ocon has impressed at Force India since 2017 and has been tipped as a future Silver Arrows driver, having emerged as a rival for Valtteri Bottas when considerations for 2019 were undertaken at Mercedes.

However, the Ricciardo deal and Lawrence Stroll's takeover of Force India - which leaves Ocon fighting Sergio Perez for a seat alongside Lance Stroll - could ultimately leave the French driver stranded.

"On drivers, the situation is really complicated," Wolff said. "With Esteban, it looked like we had a deal with Renault. And within 48 hours, things changed.

"Agreements suddenly were not agreements any more. But I can understand the rationale of Renault getting Ricciardo on board.

"It's just the way that things panned out was not ideal for Esteban.

"It would be really a shame if a timing issue or non-transparent communication would be a reason for such a kid with ability not to find the right seat for next year.

"He can drive, and he has a great personality, and eventually he's going to be in a car that wins races and maybe a championship. My long-term perspective on him is still very optimistic."

A swap with Stroll could take Ocon to Williams, although it would be considered a step down amid the British team's struggles.

He had been namechecked by Zak Brown as a candidate at McLaren, but they have confirmed Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris as their 2019 line-up.

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