27/11/2015
NEWS STORY
Mercedes takes up its option on 19-year-old Frenchman Esteban Ocon.
In May, Mercedes announced that Ocon, who has previously tested with Lotus, Ferrari and Force India, would be "supported by the brand during the season", adding that the youngster had "signed a contractual option that could see him become a fully fledged Mercedes driver in the future."
This morning, shortly after taking pole for the GP3 Feature Race in Abu Dhabi, and thereby re-taking the lead in the championship, the reigning European Formula 3 Champion tweeted that he was officially a Mercedes driver.
In the absence of an official statement from the team, Toto Wolff was asked about Ocon's revelation at today's press conference and how such a move will impact current test driver Pascal Wehrlein.
"We've taken up the option on him because he has been with us now, or has been following the DTM team for a while, has been the test driver in DTM and integrated well and he's doing a very good job in GP3 as well and he's somebody we'd very much like to have in the family," said the Austrian. This is why we've exercised the option.
"It doesn't mean that we've found a solution for Pascal," he added. "The current driver market is a bit difficult because most of the teams have already announced their drivers and it need to be the right deal - but having taken up Esteban we are conscious that we need to find a suitable programme for both of them.
"It could well mean that it could eventually end up for both of them in a testing role, in a reserve driver role and in a DTM role - so it's not done yet."
DTM champion Wehrlein, has been linked with a seat at Manor, the British team switching to Mercedes engines next season.
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