Esteban Ocon was drafted in by Mercedes as their reserve driver for the ongoing F1 season, as Toto Wolff was unable to find an F1 seat for him, despite Mercedes having some kind of influence with their ‘B-teams’.
A year away from the grid was seemed to be the most suitable option and Esteban Ocon agreed to be the reserve driver, so as to remain close to all of the F1 action all through the season.
Now, Esteban Ocon’s F1 future largely depends on how Valtteri Bottas fares this season, as failure on the Finn’s part could mean a vacant seat at Mercedes somewhere down the season.
However, that does not seem to be happening, as Bottas dished out one of his best F1 performances of all time today, handsomely winning the Australian GP, comfortably keeping Lewis Hamilton and the others at bay.
Bottas has come under a lot of scrutiny because of his performances in the last season, wherein he just couldn’t pull his things together and secure a solid result.
He had a point to prove today in Melbourne, and he did so in emphatic fashion. Toto Wolff and co. were ecstatic with the win and showered praises on how a renewed Bottas has taken to the track this season.
But there seemed to be one unhappy/uneasy person in the Mercedes camp when Bottas passed the chequered flag and that was the man who is in line to replace Bottas, once he slips up.
Esteban Ocon was seen beside Toto Wolff all through the race and sported a sheepish smile when Bottas won the GP, clapping his hands ever so awkwardly.
Check out the video:
Fans feel for Ocon, who might have to wait a little more to get into that Mercedes car.
