Esteban Ocon says seeing his contemporaries receiving top Formula 1 drives acts as motivation, amid his uncertain future in the championship.
Mercedes-backed Ocon spent half a year at Manor in 2016 before stepping up to Force India, where he has emerged as a regular points scorer.
But his immediate route to a Mercedes seat was blocked when Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were retained, while a potential Renault move fell through when the marque signed Daniel Ricciardo.
Ocon is poised to lose his Force India, potentially before the end of the season, following the Lawrence Stroll-led takeover, which is set to result in Lance Stroll moving from Williams.
Ocon’s options elsewhere appear limited, while in the last few weeks Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc, whom he competed against from a young age in karting, have secured 2019 seats with Red Bull and Ferrari respectively.
“I have to thank everyone for all the kind messages and support I receive every day,” Ocon posted on social media.
“We have been in tough situations before and we’ve always overcome those, there was no easy way throughout my career as you know.
“I can promise you that it’s not at this moment I will give up.
“Motivation is high and my old time rivals are in top cars, and this makes me hungrier than ever.
“I dream F1, I train F1, I eat F1, I play F1, I think F1…
“I’m born to race and my only goal is to be champion and will always be. See you all this weekend!”
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