Following his highly impressive performances this year, Esteban Ocon's future is destined to shine bright says Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

The Force India driver and Mercedes protégé is in his first complete season of F1, having jumped on the Grand Prix bandwagon with Manor last year at Spa.

So far, Ocon has scored points in all but one race in 2017, often running hot on the heels of experienced and rapid team mate Sergio Perez.

Wolff is convinced the 20-year-old Frenchman is on his road to stardom.

"Force India could have done many more points," Wolff said after the race in Canada.

"He did a great race. Really fantastic for his first season. He's developing just in the right way, he's going to be a superstar of the future."

Force India COO Otmar Szafnauer is equally delighted with his driver's progress and consistency to date, and especially with his outstanding faculty of adaptation.

"It's one of the reasons we chose him," said Szafnauer.

" It's hard to predict the future but we're happy he's done what we thought he could do.

"We've got two drivers that can work together and now they're close together which means they'll be pushing each other.

"We had that with Nico [Hulkenberg] and Sergio and we were a little unsure with Esteban, we thought, but he's quickly gotten up to speed now and that will just push both of them forward."

 

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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