Ocon's 2019 Mercedes role confirmed

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has confirmed that Esteban Ocon will be remaining in Formula 1 next season in the role of third and test driver for the Silver Arrows, as the Frenchman takes a year out of competitive F1 action after failing to secure a seat on the 2019 grid.

Ocon is a member of the Mercedes junior driver development programme, and has performed solidly with Force India this season. However, he is a victim of the financial difficulties of the team, as when businessman Lawrence Stroll bailed them out in the summer with a takeover, it was reported his son, Lance, would join at the expense of Ocon.

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Last race of the season coming up on the one and only @ymcofficial ! Looking forward it’s always special there???? #f1finale #EO31 pic.twitter.com/uJMabZcyd3 — Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) November 19, 2018

A move to Toro Rosso and Williams was previously mentioned for Ocon, but teams, as confirmed by Christian Horner, were unwilling to take on and develop a driver whom they saw as a Mercedes performer.

Wolff has finally revealed the plans for Ocon, and it looks like he will be hanging around in F1.

"The plans are pretty clear. He is going to be pretty close to the Mercedes team - he will be our reserve driver and third driver," the Mercedes team principal confirmed.

"We hope to do the odd test with him, we are looking at pre-season and in-season but it's not sorted out yet.

"He will do a lot of time in the simulator to make sure that he is ready."

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