Belgian Grand Prix

Wolff not burnt by past Ocon dealings in Mercedes driver delay

Sam Hall Tuesday 31 August 2021 09:29

Toto Wolff has claimed his delay in announcing Mercedes' 2022 F1 driver line-up is not a reaction to Esteban Ocon's lost 2019 drive.

After a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll acquired Force India in 2018, the Canadian announced his son Lance would replace Ocon for the following season.

Ocon was widely expected to then sign for Renault, only for the manufacturer to pull out of the deal at the last minute and instead poach Daniel Ricciardo from Red Bull.

Asked if this disappointment had "burnt" Wolff and led to the cautious approach of an announcement, he answered: "No, it has nothing to do with the learnings from the Esteban situation because we deal with people that I trust and respect.

"It’s purely a question of having everybody aligned and contracts signed.”

Wolff has again clarified his ambition to have the futures of both George Russell and Valtteri Bottas secured before making any form of an announcement as to who will partner Lewis Hamilton next year.

“It’s not only our call but there are other parties involved and you have to always proceed with respect and with diligence," explained Wolff.

“The question that I was asked is whether I have made up my mind. I do, but I am not the only one who is involved in this decision.

"There are stakeholders that are involved that we need to respect and as long as contracts are not signed, it makes no sense to announce [anything]."

Latest News

F1 News & Gossip

Kimi Antonelli speculated for Mercedes axe

7 minutes ago

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

FIA confirm Lando Norris McLaren inspection ahead of Azerbaijan Grand Prix

52 minutes ago

Red Bull

Max Verstappen's new Red Bull F1 team-mate 'confirmed'

1 hour ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Max Verstappen open to Ferrari move as F1 team axe driver for 2026

2 hours ago

F1 Legends

F1 world champion admits extraordinary 2.30am habit

Yesterday 22:56

Ferrari

Ferrari legend hints Lewis Hamilton's boss lacks leadership

Yesterday 21:56

More news

FIA confirm Red Bull star stripped of victory at Italian Grand Prix

6 september

200.000+ views

Max Verstappen absence confirmed for next race

14 september

150.000+ views

FIA announce late demotion for F1 star at Dutch Grand Prix

31 august

100.000+ views

Lewis Hamilton hit with FIA penalty after Italian Grand Prix woe

6 september

100.000+ views

Mercedes cut ties with race-winning driver for 2026

29 august

75.000+ views

FIA announce Max Verstappen inspection as samples taken after Italian GP victory

10 september

F1 News 24/7

Races

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 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Wolff not burnt by past Ocon dealings in Mercedes driver delay

Wolff not burnt by past Ocon dealings in Mercedes driver delay