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Ocon admits uncertainty, but puts his future in Mercedes' hands

Esteban Ocon admits there is uncertainty around his future, but the Force India driver is confident that when the music stops, he will have secured his seat.

As Formula 1's dominoes fall into place, Ocon's situation appears to be at risk. Just a few weeks ago, the Frenchman was contemplating a season at Renault, alongside Nico Hulkenberg. Or a worst case scenario of staying at Force India.

The first opportunity dried up when Daniel Ricciardo unexpectedly decided to leave the Red Bull family to join Renault, while Ocon's prospects of remaining with his current squad for a third season have been weakened by the team's take over by a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll, and the probable move of his son Lance from Williams to Force India, or whatever it may be called in the future.

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Ocon admits it's all a bit distracting but the 21-year-old is keeping his faith in Mercedes, the manufacturer supporting his efforts in F1.

"For sure, it is not easy. But that is what you need to do as a racing driver," he told Motorpsort.com.

"You are here for the sport and you are here for performing, and not listening to all this.

"Obviously Mercedes and my management in Mercedes have been taking the right choices in the past years, and I am sure they will be able to do the same again."

A possible scenario that could pan out, and indeed looks more likely with each passing week, is Ocon's transfer to McLaren where he would be racing alongside Carlos Sainz.

Ocon is mum on the subject however.

"I don't know if I will move to McLaren, I don't know if I will be moving from here," he said.

"At the moment, these are just rumours and we will see. What is important is always to perform on track and as I always say, if you perform on track then an F1 team can't get rid of you if you perform.

"That is my target and I want to do the same as I have done in the first half of the season, trying to do the best I can. If I do that, I will have a seat next year."

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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.