Wolff: "There is a lot of discussion going on" as F1 silly season continues

The supposed summer break in F1 was instead filled with F1 news from start to finish as the race to find a seat for 2019 began to take shape. Esteban Ocon's future in F1 is far from settled and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff compared the situation to a chess game.

Currently, Ocon's career at Racing Point Force India looks to be a short one as Lawrence Stroll's investment indicates that a switch for Lance Stroll from Williams isn't too far away.

That means that Ocon is without a seat as things stand but the Mercedes man revealed there is ongoing discussions behind the scenes linked with a lot of other potential movers.

"There is a lot of discussion going on at the moment," Wolff told Autosport.

Stroll's switch to Force India would leave a seat vacant at Williams, one that many will be hoping Robert Kubica will fill and Claire Williams did indicate that change could be on the horizon.

"There are a lots of twists and turns in F1, aren't there? We've seen that over the past few weeks alone. So I think we'll have to wait and see what the future brings.

Suiters for Ocon are few and far between but an opening at McLaren could be his lifeline although McLaren sporting director Gil de Ferran was giving nothing away other than insisting Stoffel Vandoorne would be remaining with the team this season.

"Yeah I can confirm that.

"At present we have no other plans and he will be in the car for the rest of the year.

The story is far from over and there could be a surprise or two yet in the driver market before it's all done.