Esteban Ocon turned down chances to race outside Formula 1 in 2019
Esteban Ocon has turned down offers to race outside Formula 1 in 2019, even though it looks increasingly unlikely he will be on the grand prix grid next year
The Mercedes protege's only hopes of remaining in an F1 race seat next year are with Williams, which is trying to put together the financial package needed to sign him as team-mate to George Russell.
But even if that plan does not come off, Ocon says that he and his Mercedes management have decided against looking to race in other categories.
It is understood that Ocon was high on the list for IndyCar teams Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and Dale Coyne Racing, while Formula E would have been another good opportunity.
Speaking about the interest from other series, Ocon said: "There has been talks that I could race in many different places and I won't go in details. But we are choosing not to do that."
Ocon temporarily moved away from single-seaters to race in the DTM in 2016 while waiting for an F1 seat having won GP3 and European Formula 3 titles, before getting a chance with Manor mid-season.
But this time he thinks he would gain more from embedding himself with the Mercedes F1 team than racing.
"If I don't race next year I will choose to stay close to Mercedes and try to learn as much as I can from them," he explained.
"Maybe do some testing here and there if possible, and work close to them. That is the only thing I can do to stay in shape, to stay around F1.
"I don't feel like I have experience to gain if I go somewhere, which I have already done before.
"To wait for an F1 seat I did DTM for example. Back in the days I learned a lot and I don't think that is the same nowadays with the experience I have got in F1. I don't plan to race somewhere else."
Ocon said there was nothing he could do to help influence Williams's decision, so it was a case of just waiting for events to unfold.
"What I know is that it is not in my hands," he said. "It is not in my management's hands either. It is for Williams to decide, basically. We will see how things evolve.
"There are at the moment two races to go, so I am trying to focus on that and after that we will see what happens."
Previous article
Haas F1 boss Gunther Steiner: Renault should be 'a lot better'
Next article
Verstappen 'could have done damage' after F1 Mexican GP pole miss
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Esteban Ocon |
| Author | Edd Straw |
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
