Wolff: Ocon seat in F1 "up to Williams"

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that Esteban Ocon having a seat in F1 next season depends on Williams at this point, as the Grove-based team is the only one that could potentially hire the Mercedes junior driver.

Williams still have one open slot next to newly-promoted George Russell, who will make his debut with the team next season. The second seat could go to either Robert Kubica or Sergey Sirotkin, but Wolff thinks that Ocon should be added to this conversation.

The Frenchman, who is hailed as one of the biggest talents on the grid, is currently without a seat for 2019, as his place at Force India will be taken by Lance Stroll after the Canadian's father bought Force India.

All teams except for Williams either have two drivers already or have stated that they're not interested in having a Mercedes junior driver at their team, leaving the Frenchman with just one option if he wants to stay in F1 next season. Wolff underlines that Williams have the future of the 22-year-old in their hands.

"The decision is not up to us, it's up to Williams to determine what they think is the best driver for them," Wolff was quoted by Speedweek.

Even if Williams don't take Ocon, Wolff has another plan for his pupil, he revealed.