Toto Wolff reflects on Ocon departure
F1 News
- Tom Mason
Esteban Ocon will be driving for Renault next season, replacing Nico Hulkenberg and his former boss at Mercedes Toto Wolff has spoken following his departure. Ocon, was the Mercedes third driver this season, offering support to Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
The 23-year-old's move to Renault will see him drive alongside the highly experienced Daniel Ricciardo next season.
“Esteban had been with us for some time. We found ourselves in a situation last year where we didn’t have a seat to offer him. He learned a lot. He could have just watched Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, but instead, he’s done a lot of simulators and learned a lot," Wolff was quoted by thejudge13.com.
“Overall he is much more mature. Esteban is a driver who deserves to be in a Mercedes and who deserves to be in a very good car. But I believe that Renault’s offer, which is a factory team, could not be refused.
“It is something good for him and his development. And I think there are also risks when you go back to Mercedes against a Lewis Hamilton, in a team that is fighting for the world championship. For that reason, I believe that for him, Renault is the ideal solution.