Ocon not thinking about 2019 F1 plans despite Mercedes links

Esteban Ocon says he isn’t considering a possible move to Mercedes for the 2019 Formula 1 season despite links to the German manufacturer, stressing his focus remains with Force India heading into the new season.

Ocon, 21, has been part of Mercedes’ junior programme since the end of 2015, and impressed through his first full F1 season with Force India in 2017.

The Frenchman has been tipped as one of a number of drivers who could be in contention for a race seat with Mercedes in 2019 should it opt to change up its existing line-up of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, both of whom are out of contract at the end of the season.

Asked by Crash.net if he was thinking about a possible Mercedes drive in 2019, Ocon said that while it is understandably the long-term aim given he is part of its junior programme, he is remaining focused on the job at hand with Force India.

“I'm a Mercedes driver, so I'm part of the programme and part of the development since the end of 2015,” Ocon said. “Of course it would be the logical way, but I'm totally dedicated to Force India at the moment. If you do the talking on-track, there will always be plenty of opportunities.

“I'm not thinking about [a Mercedes drive] at the moment. I'm just focusing with Force India, and the job I have to do is the most important thing.”

While Mercedes is expected to agree a new contract with Hamilton, Bottas’ future looks less certain given the number of drivers who are free agents for 2019.

Only Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), Fernando Alonso (McLaren) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) are contracted beyond the end of the current season, giving Mercedes plenty of options.

Ocon has impressed through his time in F1 so far, taking the fight to experienced Force India teammate Sergio Perez through their first season together in 2017, as well as leapfrogging DTM champion Pascal Wehrlein in the Mercedes young driver pecking order.