Why Esteban Ocon can't get a 2019 F1 seat

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes Esteban Ocon's Mercedes ties may prevent him from securing a seat in Formula 1 in 2019. Ocon is expected to be the loser when Force India complete a move for Lance Stroll, following a takeover of the team by the Canadian's father.

Although Stroll's departure from Williams would open up a seat at a team who take power units from the Silver Arrows, Robert Kubica is understood to be at the front of the queue to take a seat at the Grove squad.

Having seen an anticipated switch to Renault blocked by their signing of Daniel Ricciardo, Ocon is facing 2019 without an F1 drive, despite his standing as one of the sport's hottest prospects.

pic.twitter.com/owDjSg3nF3 — Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) September 11, 2018

Horner believes if Mercedes were to cut Ocon free of his junior deal, the situation would be very different.

"It's crazy that a driver like Esteban risks not having a seat next year," Horner said.

"But for him at the moment it's not helpful that he's a Mercedes-contracted driver.

"If he was released, he would be an obvious candidate for Toro Rosso, but we cannot invest in a young man tied to one of our opponents, and I think that if the roles were reversed it would be exactly the same."

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff's recent proposal of teams having a third seat saved for junior drivers is an idea that could prevent Ocon's situation from developing in the future, but Horner is unsure of its feasibility.

"It's an interesting one. But the practicalities of running three-car teams – there are things like pit stops – it's a very complicated thing to do," he told Motorsport.

"Interesting in concept, but once you get into the practicalities of it, it's very, very complex.

"I can't see the midfield being particularly happy with it."

MORE: Mercedes concerned Ocon could be stranded