Ocon: “I will come back, no matter how”

Barring a last minute twist, the Frenchman will not have a seat in F1 next season, collateral victim of Lawrence's takeover of Force India Stroll, his son Lance being expected at Silverstone in 2019 from Williams.

Or with was initially leaving for Renault but the French manufacturer pulled the rug out from under it by attracting Daniel Ricciardo in his nets at the beginning of August. While McLaren remained a potential option, confirmation of Carlos Sainz et Lando Norris in Woking buried the last hopes of the Norman.

« All I can do is continue to be present on the track, prove that I deserve my place, Ocon told representatives of the French press in the city-state. I don't know what more I can do. I've been scoring points for two years, fighting regularly, sometimes even with the top teams.

The role of the athlete is not present enough these days and there are more things that come into play. That obviously disappoints me. I'm a little affected but I already was at Spa then at Monza. The more we advance in time, the more difficult it becomes but that will not change my performance on the track ».

Asked if he understood the decision to Mercedes to keep the duo composed of Lewis Hamilton et Valtteri Bottas when Ferrari, conservative stable before the eternal, made the bet Charles Leclerc, Ocon returned the ball to the court of his protectors.

« It's Toto's (Wolff, boss of the German manufacturer, Editor's note) to decide, added the one who has been part of the star industry since 2015. I of course told him my point of view on things. We call each other every day and talk to each other about lots of things, including that. We'll see where that takes me. Even if next year proves difficult, I will come back, no matter how. I'll be back.

This is great for Charles. He really deserves to have this seat at Ferrari. He deserves it I've been riding with him since the beginning, he's one of the best riders I know. A big congratulations to him and I think he will prove next year that young people deserve their place ».

A final sentence which quite well sums up the opinion of many observers in the paddock.