Ocon looks set to sit out 2019 season
Oct.27 - Esteban Ocon looks increasingly likely to sit out the 2019 season.
Toto Wolff, the Mercedes boss, said the Frenchman's chances of securing the second place at Williams for 2019 are "minimal".
"Over the past two months the situation has not changed," he said. "We are already thinking about 2020.
"Esteban will help us with the Mercedes car, and then we'll see what awaits him."
Mercedes successfully placed its other development driver, George Russell, at Williams for 2019. But Wolff said it is a "completely different situation" for Ocon, who has lost his seat at Force India.
"Perhaps it will be good for him to miss a year and return to a competitive car," he said.
The big rumour is that the 'competitive car' could be Valtteri Bottas' seat at Mercedes.
The Finn has struggled, particularly in the second half of 2018.
"I have lost a lot of points this year and in the second half I never finished ahead of Lewis (Hamilton)," Bottas acknowledged in Mexico.
"But I don't think I am really 130 points behind him. The difference between us is much smaller. I know it and so does the team," he added.
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Thanks, this is so much faster than looking things up on line. My brother and I fell in love with racing after my father bought a 1957 White MGA with red leather (pre-plastic) convertable. We loved riding around with him. Jack & I could squish into the passanger seat. My father had a job that required him to do a lot of commuting, from SF, to Santa Clara, and back to our house in San Jose.
We started to go to Laguna Seca and have been hooked ever since. Still remember wathing Moss come around turn 7 at the top of the hill. Other's stiff armed & Moss with one hand sheilding him from the sun. We could roam around the pits before races, at intervals, talk to drivers. Great time to fall in love with racing. Jack, my brother took me to my first Grand Prix in Liisbon, and then to Barcelona. I'll never forget the first time that I heard an engine scream around a corner. It's been awhile, and F-1 is the only kind of racing I enjoy. Thanks for all you do. I'm a retired teacher, and have just finished my first book! F-1 is my love. Hoping that my book is a big success, it really is good!, and that I can take Jack to Silverstone next July