Ocon: Discussions starting on F1 future

Esteban Ocon has revealed that he expects discussions regarding his future in Formula 1 to start soon, as he attempts to make his return to competition in the sport after failing to secure a seat for the 2019 F1 season.

Following the conclusion of the 2018 campaign, a driver merry-go-round took place which saw the likes of Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, and Kimi Raikkonen change teams. One other change was Lawrence Stroll’s acquisition of Force India (now Racing Point) and that would prove key for Ocon as Stroll brought his son, Lance, to the team from Williams at the expense of the Frenchman.

Ocon failed to gain a seat with another team, with constructors allegedly being put off by his association with Mercedes as a junior driver.

Mercedes, meanwhile, gave Valtteri Bottas another contract, meaning that nobody ultimately had room for Ocon despite him being viewed as one of the most talented young drivers around.

He currently acts as reserve driver for the Silver Arrows, but insists he hopes concrete talks regarding his future will take place “very, very soon”.

"Our goal, not only mine, is to get back in the car as soon as possible," Ocon told Autosport of he and his management.

"At the moment my whole management, including Toto [Wolff], is working for me to get back in a race seat next year and I think discussions are already starting.

"I think [getting the plans confirmed] as soon as possible, that would be great. That would be the best.

"I hope my future will be sorted very, very soon."

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