Esteban Ocon emerging as 2020 candidate for Haas F1, Williams

Esteban Ocon is itching to get back to a Formula 1 driver’s seat for 2020.

Esteban Ocon may be in the hunt for a seat at Haas F1 Team or Williams for the 2020 Formula 1 season.

Ocon, who is still strongly backed by Mercedes, lost his seat at Mercedes-powered Force India (now Racing Point) at the end of last year. He is currently Mercedes’ reserve driver, but says the German team would be happy for him to return to the grid next year — even without Mercedes power.

One rumor making the rounds is that he could replace Romain Grosjean at Ferrari-powered Haas. Grosjean is having is worst season as a full-time driver in Formula 1, sitting just 17th in the driver standings with two points.

When asked specifically by European media outlet RMC Sport if he is interested in a seat at the American team, Ocon said, “What interests me the most is being able to race again in Formula 1.

“It is difficult for me not to race this year,” Ocon said. “The news last year that I will not be among the 20 drivers on the grid was hard to swallow, especially given my performances.”

Ocon finished eighth in the drivers’ championship in 2017 and 12th in 2018.

Ocon was also asked about rumors he might replace the underperforming Robert Kubica at Williams.

The 22-year-old said: “All the options remain alive, because Mercedes is open-minded even if it’s with another engine manufacturer. I can be loaned, that’s not a problem. My main goal is to drive in the official Mercedes team, but anything is possible.”

More important, Ocon says it’s nice to be talked about as F1 silly season warms up.

“As long as they (talking) are about you, it’s a good thing,” Ocon said. “It shows that F1 as a whole has not forgotten about you.

“My management is working very hard to find solutions for me. Let’s just hope we find one very quickly.”

Meanwhile, German outlet Auto Bild is reporting that if Grosjean is ousted at Haas, that French driver could move to Formula E with the championship-winning DS Techeetah team.

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