Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff says it is “guaranteed” that Esteban Ocon will be racing “in a good car” in Formula 1 in 2020.
The Frenchman could well be set for a year on the sidelines with Lance Stroll expected to replace him at Force India and a seat at Williams his last resort.
However, his absence from the F1 grid will only be temporary Wolff reassures.
“We are prepared for ‘Plan B’ with Esteban [for next year], one thing I can guarantee for you is he’s going to be in a good car in 2020 because there are many teams out there that have an interest in Esteban,” he was quoted by Motorsport Week.
“We will try to facilitate [things] where we can but there’s nothing I could say ‘this is going to help him into the car’.”
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One theory already being put around is Ocon has the promise of Valtteri Bottas’ seat at Mercedes for 2020 and that is why he is only asking for a single year contract at Williams while fellow junior driver George Russell has signed for two.
“You know they say only fools are optimists, and in July I was really optimistic of having Esteban in a Renault, so I don’t know. It’s not our call,” Wolff said on the 22-year-old’s chances at the Grove squad.
“Williams needs to make up their mind who they think is the best driver for their team. It’s not only Esteban, I think there’s Robert [Kubica] in the frame and others.
“And all of them deserve the chance, so Williams will make their choice.”
