Gerhard Berger would not like to see Esteban Ocon return to the DTM Series in 2019 as he feels the Frenchman has done more than enough to warrant a place on the Formula 1 grid.
Berger, a ten-time winner in Formula, said it would be sad if the highly talented Frenchman lose his place in Formula 1, although it looks likely to happen as Lance Stroll continues to be linked with a move to the Racing Point Force India F1 Team sooner rather than later following Lawrence Stroll’s buy out of the squad during the summer break.
Ocon had been linked with moves to the Renault Sport Formula One Team and McLaren F1 Team in recent weeks but both avenues have now passed him by as both outfits have announced their driver line-ups for next season, with the Frenchman’s links to Mercedes-Benz being a turn-off for them.
The Frenchman raced in DTM before he was called to race for the Manor Racing MRT squad in Formula 1 back in 2016, but current DTM boss Berger would rather see Ocon on the Formula 1 grid rather than back with a roof over his head and in the German-based Touring Car championship.
“No, I would not like to have Ocon because it means he would not be in Formula 1 and I think it would be a complete shame for Formula 1 to lose such a talent,” said Berger to Motorsport.com.
“It should be the other way around [with DTM drivers going to F1]. We would like to position our drivers in F1 because they are good enough.”
