Ocon rules out Formula E and IndyCar deals

  • Published on 04 Oct 2018 10:17
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Esteban Ocon says that he is not interested in taking up a deal in another series as he focuses on Formula 1. The Frenchman is set to be without a seat for the 2019 season as his drive at Force India will more than likely be taken by Lance Stroll.

Stroll's father Lawrence purchased the team in August, rescuing it from administration. And when Force India looked to confirm Perez and Stroll for 2019, Ocon reportedly had verbal agreements with both Renault and McLaren, who both later backed out.

Ocon is now likely to take up a reserve role for 2019, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff adamant that his junior driver will return to the sport in the near future. But Ocon says that nothing other than F1 is obtaining his interest right now.

“I think it [IndyCar] is a great series but the only thing I look at is Formula 1,” he said. “It’s my only target - my only target is to be world champion one day. There is nothing else that counts really.”

When asked if he would consider a move to Formula E, he said: “I don’t think so, no. We never know what can happen in the future, but I’ve been in that situation of waiting, but I was in a different situation.

“I didn’t try Formula 1 before. I didn’t race, I didn’t drive and do results or be prepared. When you are in those kind of transitions, you try to get as much experience before you go to F1. DTM was very, very useful for me, and prepared me very well for F1. I feel like I’m ready now, and I don’t need those bigger experiences. I think I have enough experience now.”

Mercedes recently announced that Pascal Wehrlein would leave its junior programme after the 2019 season. Ocon says that he is sure he won't find himself in a similar situation and do everything possible to return to the series.

"Nothing is sure in life but I will work harder than ever. If I’m sitting away from a seat, I will push and break the balls of everyone to be back. I think my only good thing at the moment is that I have a good support with Mercedes. They will never let me go and they will always push for me to find a solution. At the moment, that’s the only good thing I have. There’s nothing else.”

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 1,450
  • Podiums 35
  • Grand Prix 207
  • Country MX
  • Date of b. Jan 26 1990 (34)
  • Place of b. Guadalajara, MX
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar