Esteban Ocon will take up the role of Mercedes’ Formula 1 reserve driver in the wake of missing out on a 2019 race seat.
Ocon has been backed by Mercedes since his 2015 title-winning GP3 season and stepped up to a Formula 1 race seat with Manor mid-2016, before joining Force India.
Mercedes believed it had an agreement with Renault over Ocon for 2019 but the manufacturer instead opted to sign Daniel Ricciardo to partner Nico Hulkenberg.
Options elsewhere receded and Ocon was left without a drive for next season, though he will remain connected to Formula 1 through his new position with Mercedes.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed on Friday that 22-year-old Ocon will take up the role of third and reserve driver for its Formula 1 team next year.
"The plans are pretty clear, he is going to be close to the works Mercedes team," said Wolff.
"He is going to be our reserve and third driver. We hope to also do the odd test with him looking at pre-season and in-season but that is not sorted out yet. He will spend a lot of time in the simulator and be ready for a seat in 2020."
Ocon’s departure from Force India has not yet been confirmed though Lance Stroll’s switch is expected to be announced in the coming days.
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