Mercedes must replace Valtteri Bottas with Esteban Ocon in 2020 otherwise their driver program “isn’t working”, ex-Formula 1 driver Marc Surer claims.
The Frenchman is sat as reserve driver with the Brackley-based team this year, having lost his seat to Lance Stroll at the re-named Racing Point F1 and is already putting the pressure on to ensure a return to the grid next season.
However, with Bottas struggling to perform against Lewis Hamilton last season and the next generation of talent already racing at Ferrari and Red Bull, Surer thinks Mercedes has to put faith in Ocon.
“Yes, I believe so. Otherwise, the Mercedes junior programme is not working. They have to do that,” he told Austria’s Speed Week.
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One man who may be less willing to have the 22-year-old alongside him is Lewis Hamilton, who has often highly praised the relationship he has with Bottas.
And even though the Finn is hinting at a less co-operative approach this season, the Briton still feels in the ascendancy over his teammate.
“All I’ve seen is that he has a beard,” he said in Barcelona as to what’s changed from Valtteri for 2019.
“I’m not someone that generally has expectations of anything but I assume he’s going to be more aggressive this year. I’m sure he’s going to be pushing harder and pushing harder in his training.
“He’s always been incredibly determined since he came here and that’s not wavered. He knows where he needs to put his focus. I don’t know much about a change in approach but we’ll see when we get to the races.”
