Schumacher? Ocon? Wehrlein? Who will partner Kvyat at Toro Rosso?
Schumacher? Ocon? Wehrlein? Who will partner Kvyat at Toro Rosso?
Esteban Ocon would have to be released from his Mercedes junior deal in order for Toro Rosso to consider him for a 2019 race seat, Dr Helmut Marko has said. The Frenchman is facing the prospect of sitting out the 2019 season after seeing offers from Force India, Renault and McLaren fall through.
Ties to Mercedes put McLaren off signing Ocon, who saw an offer from Renault withdrawn after they confirmed the signing of Daniel Ricciardo, while Lance Stroll's likely move to Force India to follow his father Lawrence – who now owns the team – has cost Ocon his current seat.
Williams are reported to have demanded discounted power units in 2019 if they are to put Ocon into the team – where Robert Kubica is favoured to partner Sergey Sirotkin next year.
Toro Rosso confirmed Daniil Kvyat's return to the team on Saturday at the Russian Grand Prix, but Brendon Hartley is far from secure in the second seat – which could open the door to Ocon, albeit with some help from the Silver Arrows.
"We have a seat, Mercedes doesn't have a seat," Marko told Sky Sports. "If he's free from all contracts we could discuss it, I mean all contracts."
One driver who has been freed from Mercedes duties is Pascal Wehrlein, and Marko says his release has made him a candidate for the role.
"It's a different story now, yes," he told Motorsport.com. "We haven't made any decision. He's on a long list."
Dan Ticktum looks set to miss out on his hopes of taking the seat after falling behind Mick Schumacher in the European Formula 3 fight and then publicly airing suspicions about his rival, as well as lashing out to fans on social media.
Could the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schuamcher be in the frame, though?
"No, definitely not," said Marko. "I think it's too early for him. Let's see what happens in F2."
Wehrlein could be the most likely to sign, having been released from his Mercedes deal earlier this month, however the situation there is also tricky.
"My understanding is he's off to do Formula E next year," Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Motorsport.com. "That's a discussion that we'll have internally.
"There are numerous options available. I think we've got plenty of time. I don't think we need to be in a rush."
MORE: How Ricciardo helped Kvyat win F1 place back
MORE: F1 2019 driver line-up as it stands - but what else could change?
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Ferrari announce DRASTIC change as Verstappen issues dire warning to bosses - GPFans F1 Recap
- 3 hours ago
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
- Yesterday 22:57
F1 giants announce name change with IMMEDIATE effect
- Yesterday 21:57
Horner admits Red Bull at MAJOR disadvantage with new rules
- Yesterday 20:57
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
- Yesterday 19:57
Sainz manager speaks out on 'game playing' over contract
- Yesterday 18:57
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860