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Reuters

French driver Esteban Ocon will race for Force India next season after agreeing a multi-year deal, the Silverstone-based Formula One team said in a statement at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Thursday.
Ocon replaces experienced German Nico Hulkenberg, who is moving to Renault, alongside Mexican Sergio Perez at a team co-owned by Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya and currently fourth in the championship.
The 20-year-old is contracted long-term to Mercedes, Force India’s engine provider, and made his debut this year with the lowly Manor team as a mid-season replacement for Indonesian Rio Haryanto.
“I’m still relatively new to Formula One, but spending half a season at Manor Racing has given me some valuable experience and I feel ready for this new opportunity with Sahara Force India,” he said.
The Force India announcement leaves only Mercedes-powered Manor with a clear vacancy, although Swiss-based Sauber have yet to confirm Brazilian Felipe Nasr and Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson are staying.

Renault confirmed Britain’s Jolyon Palmer on Wednesday with Haas set to sign Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen.
Ocon’s promotion is likely to be seen as a setback for German youngster Pascal Wehrlein, the Frenchman’s more experienced Manor teammate and also the Mercedes reserve who scored a point in Austria in July.
Opportunity knocks for Esteban Ocon in Macau
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff made clear that he saw Ocon as a big talent for the future.
“Esteban has the most impressive track record in junior formulae and he is an exceptional personality outside of the car,” he said.
“It is a positive development for Formula One that talent wins over money and we will be seeing some of the most impressive youngsters fighting to make it to the top... over the coming years.”

Ocon is one of several youngsters, including Red Bull’s Dutch teenager Max Verstappen and Wehrlein, to enter Formula One on talent rather than their financial contribution. The Frenchman competed at the 2013 and 2014 Macau Grand Prix, finishing 10th in 2013 but crashing out the following year.
The jury remains out on 18-year-old Canadian Lance Stroll, signed by former champions Williams for 2017, who is a promising talent but whose career has been bankrolled by his billionaire father.
Ocon tested for Force India last year and expected a busy few months ahead.
“It’s something I’ve been working towards my whole life and I intend to grab this opportunity with both hands,” he said.

Mallya, whose business difficulties in India mean he is currently unable to leave Britain, said the team had been following Ocon for some time.
“We ran him in the car last year during testing and his performance convinced us that he is more than capable of racing alongside Sergio,” he said.


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Formula One 2016

Esteban Ocon joins Force India F1 team on multi-year deal

The 20-year-old Frenchman, who currently drives for Manor Racing team, will join Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya’s team in 2017, replacing German Nico Hulkenberg

epa05606227 Formula One driver, French Esteban Ocon of Manor takes part at a press conference during Mexico's Formula One Grand Prix, due to start next 30 October at Hermanos Rodriguez racetrack, in Mexico City, Mexico, 27 October 2016. EPA/JOSE MENDEZ .

France's Esteban Ocon, the European Formula Three champion, will compete in November's Macau Grand Prix in his Dallara F312 Mercedes-HWA.

AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 22: Esteban Ocon of France and Manor Racing walks in the Paddock during qualifying for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on October 22, 2016 in Austin, United States. Mark Thompson/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

French driver Esteban Ocon, driving here with Manor Racing team, will join Force India in 2017. Photo: EPA

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The 20-year-old Frenchman, who currently drives for Manor Racing team, will join Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya’s team in 2017, replacing German Nico Hulkenberg
