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Ocon reveals busy 2019 ahead

Ocon reveals "busy" 2019 ahead

01-12-2018 09:34
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Bobby Vincent

Esteban Ocon may not have a Formula One seat for next season, but the Frenchman will have a busy year helping Mercedes out and mayb Force India and Williams too.

Mercedes announced Ocon as their reserve driver last week, meaning he will attend every grands prix with the Silver Arrows and also taking part in testing and driving in the simulator.

Force India and Williams are both Mercedes' customers, and may offer Ocon a chance to do something similar there. Sometimes, for whatever reason, a driver may not be able to take part in a practice session; it may be up to Ocon to fill in for them.

"Of course it's always better to race than to not race," Ocon explained to France's Auto Hebdo. "But I will have a lot of work anyway. It seems I will have even more to do than before.

"I will go to all of the grands prix and work on the simulator, and we will try to give me as much work as possible on the track. Perhaps I will take part in tests with Force India and Williams as well. 

"Mercedes continues to support me and believe in my grand prix career, and I hope everything will work out."

Some people believe that Ocon was rather unfairly dropped by Force India for 2019; after an impressive season for the French driver - which saw him claim 12th place in the overall drivers' standings.