Ocon: 'Really disappointed' F1 future in doubt after strong results
Force India driver Esteban Ocon says he is "really disappointed" that his strong results have not been enough to ensure his place on the Formula 1 grid for 2019
Ocon has produced a number of impressive performances in his second full season in F1, and the Mercedes-backed driver looked set to move to the works Renault team for next year.
But Daniel Ricciardo's decision to leave Red Bull for Renault threw Ocon's plans into disarray, as his current team is set to replace him with Lance Stroll following its takeover and alternative opportunities appear unlikely at this stage.
"I am not frustrated, I am really disappointed - that is more the word," Ocon said of his current situation.
"I am not upset against anyone or anything. But I have worked really hard to get here, I keep working really hard to perform these last two years.
"This year I have progressed compared to last year and it is 11-3 in qualifying against [team-mate] Sergio [Perez].
"I am fighting hard to do the best I can every race and arriving here, not knowing what I will do next year is hard to swallow."
Ocon now admits that his chances of remaining on the grid for next season are diminishing.
"There are still hopes, but less and less," he said. "That is what I am disappointed [about] at the moment - to see that it is not only results that come in play.
"It has to be other things, and that is what I am disappointed about - to be in that situation, because it is hard to believe that I was in a great position two months ago and things have come that way now."
When asked whether joining Mercedes customer squad Williams could be an option, he said: "There are still talks probably with them or wherever I could go, but they are less and less also."
A number of teams have admitted that Ocon's Mercedes link was a mark against his candidacy for their potential 2019 line-ups, but the Frenchman said he has not discussed severing his Mercedes ties with its motorsport boss Toto Wolff.
"I've never talked to him about this," Ocon said. "What I know is that I have a contract with Mercedes, and never talked about this.
"But what should be taken into account is the results, and the work the driver puts in and the effort he puts in to perform. Those extra sport things should not be taken into account.
"That is where I am a bit disappointed with how things have turned out."
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