Ocon remains in the spotlight: "Even if I don’t sleep, I want to be at the track"

Esteban Ocon has been sat at the back of the Mercedes garage at every Formula 1 race this season. Ocon was expected to replace Valtteri Bottas, but an upturn in form from the Finnish driver means that is now unlikely. 

Strangely, Ocon hasn't competed in any kind of race during the 2019 season. He's been busy on the Mercedes simulator. The Frenchman acknowledges that the first half of the season has been tricky for him on a personal level. 

“I insisted I wanted to be at the track. I don’t want to be working at the sim and not come over. The guys said yeah, it’s going to be hard. I said yeah I agree but that’s the way I want to do it. Even if I don’t sleep, I want to be at the track. It’s hard. It’s definitely hard. But it’s alright. There’s much worse in life. And I can sleep early on Saturday night and get rested for Sunday," Ocon told the official Formula 1 website. 

Recent rumours suggest that Renault has managed to sign Ocon for the 2020 Formula 1 season. News of the Mercedes lineup is expected to be delivered on Monday, but according to French broadcaster RMC Sport, a deal at Renault with Ocon hasn't been agreed. 

"According to our information, there are talks between Ocon and Renault, as was the case last year, but nothing has been signed. And if there will be a signature, it will not happen before the end of the week," RMC Sport said.