Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has taken a dig at Renault counterpart Cyril Abiteboul while remaining confident that French driver Esteban Ocon will secure a seat in Formula One next season.
Mercedes-backed Ocon raced for Force India, now Racing Point, last season but was left without a drive when Renault sprang a surprise and signed Australian Daniel Ricciardo from Red Bull for 2019.
Until then, the 22-year-old had looked set for the seat at the French manufacturer team as part of a loan deal agreed verbally between Abiteboul and Wolff.
“I like Cyril but in order to become a gentleman with the handshake, he needs to restore his gentleman image,” Wolff told reporters at the weekend’s French Grand Prix when asked if he would discuss another such loan.
“We are looking at all options. Esteban is a hot topic because he’s clearly one of the most promising young drivers and he deserves to be in Formula One, and we can see that with the interest that he generates.
“I am very optimistic that we will see him in a Formula One car next year,” said Wolff.
Renault could have a vacancy next season with 31-year-old Nico Hulkenberg out of contract and the German’s future uncertain.
Abiteboul said in February that Hulkenberg would be measured against Ricciardo in what could be a make-or-break year.
Hulkenberg holds the Formula One record for most grands prix started without ever stepping on the podium — 164 to date with a best result of fourth.
“(Regarding) Nico’s contract, the initial term is coming to an end at the end of this year but there is some mechanism of options,” Abiteboul said at Le Castellet.
“So it’s maybe that we continue our journey with Nico. Frankly, Nico has delivered for the team,” he added.
“But also we need to look at the options, like everyone is doing, like I’m sure Nico is doing...things are open for him and for us, but there is also an option in place so that we can possibly continue our journey together.”
Hulkenberg has scored half of Renault’s 32 points this season after eight races. The team, fourth overall last year, are currently fifth and eight points behind McLaren.
Lowe leaves Williams
Former technical director Paddy Lowe is leaving Williams with immediate effect and has stepped down from the board of directors, the Formula One team said yesterday.
Lowe had been on an extended “leave of absence” since March 5, before the start of the season.
“After a period of careful reflection I have reached the decision that I will not return to work at Williams,” he said in a team statement.
Lowe’s position at the former world champions appeared shaky last year and worsened after they failed to finish their new car in time for the start of testing in Barcelona and turned up two days late.
The team are last in the championship and have yet to score a point with a car that has been the slowest on track all season.
Williams finished last overall in 2018 and have not won a race since 2012.
Lowe joined Williams in 2017 from dominant champions Mercedes but last year’s car — the first under his supervision — proved ill-handling and uncompetitive.
The family-owned British team have British rookie George Russell and Poland’s Robert Kubica as their drivers.
“We understand and respect the decision Paddy has reached and wish him well for the future,” said deputy principal Claire Williams
..
