Breaking news
Formula 1
Ocon admits "not easy" keeping focus amid uncertain F1 future
Esteban Ocon has admitted that it is "not easy" to keep focus amid the fresh uncertainty about his Formula 1 future caused by Daniel Ricciardo's shock switch to Renault.
Jonathan Noble
Published: Aug 23, 2018, 12:54 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Frenchman had looked set to join Renault in 2019 before the French car manufacturer pulled off a shock swoop for Ricciardo over the summer break.
Read Also:
That decision has left Ocon facing a battle to find a competitive seat in F1 next year, with his best options being McLaren or remaining at his current Force India outfit.
After admitting that he did not know what was going to happen for 2019, Ocon said in Belgium on Thursday that it was difficult not to get distracted by the situation he has found himself in.
"For sure, it is not easy," he said, when asked by Motorsport.com about the situation. "But that is what you need to do as a racing driver.
"You are here for the sport and you are here for performing, and not listening to all this."
Ocon's chances of remaining at Force India remain slim, with the team's new owner Lawrence Stroll set to move his son Lance to the outfit – and potentially as early as later this season.
He does, however, remain on McLaren's shortlist for 2019 if the outfit opts to replace Stoffel Vandoorne and decides not to promote its reserve Lando Norris.
But although Ocon now faces an anxious wait to find out what he will be doing, he says he is not disheartened by the situation he is in.
"I am not worried," he said. "Obviously Mercedes and my management in Mercedes have been taking the right choices in the past years, and I am sure they will be able to do the same again."
There have been rumours in the Spa paddock that Ocon could even switch to McLaren as early as this season, to make way for Stroll at Force India, but he said he had heard nothing on that front.
"I don't know if I will move to McLaren, I don't know if I will be moving from here," he said. "At the moment, these are just rumours and we will see.
"What is important is always to perform on track and as I always say, if you perform on track then an F1 team can't get rid of you if you perform. That is my target and I want to do the same as I have done in the first half of the season, trying to do the best I can. If I do that, I will have a seat next year."
Despite having been close to the Renault drive, Ocon said he was not too taken aback by its decision to sign Ricciardo.
"It was not a shock obviously," he said."We had possibilities there but in the end it has passed and we have to move forward.
"I wish Daniel and Renault all the best. Daniel is a good guy and I like him, so I wish them the best."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article 10 things you need to know about F1 2018
Next article Ricciardo explains timeline for Red Bull split
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Esteban Ocon
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
You Ask The Questions: Esteban Ocon
Formula 1
Belgian GP
You Ask The Questions: Esteban Ocon
More from
Force India
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Esteban Ocon explains why he collided with Sergio Perez so often at Force India
Formula 1
Formula 1
Esteban Ocon explains why he collided with Sergio Perez so often at Force India
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
Formula 1
Formula 1
Austrian GP
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
Latest news
NASCAR explains why they penalized Zane Smith after latest clash with Carson Hocevar
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
9 h
NASCAR explains why they penalized Zane Smith after latest clash with Carson Hocevar
Porsche boss Laudenbach says he is "not happy" with how things were handled by IMSA in 2026
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 9 h
Porsche boss Laudenbach says he is "not happy" with how things were handled by IMSA in 2026
Five things to watch out for at the F1 United States GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
9 h
Five things to watch out for at the F1 United States GP
KTM sees MotoGP 2027 as a fresh start: “We never had the chance to build a new bike”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP 10 h
KTM sees MotoGP 2027 as a fresh start: “We never had the chance to build a new bike”
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe