Formula 1: Mercedes driver decision for 2020 could be made in August

By Asher Fair | Aug 4, 2019

SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 26: Esteban Ocon of France driving the (31) Sahara Force India F1 Team VJM11 Mercedes leads Valtteri Bottas driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes WO9 on track during the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 26, 2018 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images) /

Mercedes’ driver decision for the 2020 Formula 1 season could come as early as this month, according to team principal and CEO Toto Wolff.

For several months, going back to last year even, there has been speculation as to whether or not Valtteri Bottas will return to Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport for the 2020 Formula 1 season and as to whether or not Mercedes junior driver Esteban Ocon will be his replacement.

Bottas was confirmed at Mercedes for the 2019 season on a one-year contract extension last July, and that contract extension contained an additional one-year option that would allow the team to retain him for the 2020 season as well.

Ocon, meanwhile, lost his ride at Sahara Force India (now SportPesa Racing Point) ahead of the 2019 season as a result of the fact that the team were purchased by a consortium led by Canadian billionaire investor Lawrence Stroll, who replaced the 22-year-old Frenchman with former Williams driver and son Lance.

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Ocon signed with Mercedes to serve as their reserve and test driver for the 2019 season, and team principal and CEO Toto Wolff has spoken very highly of the former Force India driver. He has made clear that he believes it is a shame that he was left without a ride for this year.

It was thought that Ocon would join Renault for the 2019 season, and according to Wolff, Mercedes and Renault had a handshake agreement to make this happen. However, Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul pulled out of this agreement when former Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo became available. Ricciardo then signed a two-year contract with the French manufacturer.

Wolff has urged Abiteboul to “restore his gentleman” image by signing Ocon for the 2020 season to replace Nico Hulkenberg, but Hulkenberg returning to the team is looking more likely.

But despite the fact that he has urged Abiteboul to sign Ocon, Wolff hasn’t ruled out Ocon replacing Bottas next year as the new teammate to Lewis Hamilton, and we may know whether he will or he won’t do so as early as this month.

Here is what Wolff had to say about the matter, according to Formula 1.

"“We’ve had some talks, a few weeks ago maybe. Honestly, there’s no panic or rush.For us, it’s not only about making the right decision for next year but it’s also about looking ahead and this is why we agreed we would take the decision in August going forward. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we will announce it in August.”"

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When will Mercedes announce who Lewis Hamilton’s teammate will be for the 2020 Formula 1 season, and who will that driver be? Will Valtteri Bottas return for what would be his fourth consecutive season driving for the team next year, or will Esteban Ocon get his chance to shine with the Silver Arrows after a year away from Formula 1 competition?

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