Mercedes reserve driver Esteban Ocon says he is already learning a lot in his new role from observing Lewis Hamilton’s “impressive” post🌳-session debriefs during pre-season testing.  

Ocon lost his Racing Point seat to Lance Stroll following the former Force India’s squad’s takeover by Stroll’s father, Lawre༺nce Stroll, amid financial difficulties last year, and has been left without a drive for the upcꩵoming season. 

He was subseque🍸ntly handed a reserve and simulator position at Mercedes for 2019, making his first official appearance in the role dur𒁏ing the opening pre-season test in Barcelona. 

“I’m learning every day,” Ocon said when asked about൩ his new commitments.&nbs▨p;

“I’m working the same as if I was racing, looking at Valtteri’s and Lewis’ data and speaking to different d🀅epartments to pick up bits. ꦓ;

“Listening to Lewis in the debrief is something great because of how🌼 he works and how intense he is. 

“You pick up things and it’s very impressive to see him work so hard. So I’m le𓃲arning from him.”

Ocon is scheduled to be on duty with Mercedes at every grand prix this season, while he will spend the Friday of each race weekend in the team’s simulator for the European roun𝓰ds, sharing running with fellow 🧸simulator driver Stoffel Vandoorne.  

“I’ve been settling in well, getting to knowꦑ everyone and taking my role with pleasure,” Ocon explained. 

“Being part of this fantastic team is such a pleasure and it’s very special, they have been the world champions and 🅺very successful.

“I’m doing a lot of simulator work a💜nd very in touch with the team. I spend a lot of time in Brackley and൩ in the team. 

“It’s a good new role, it’s very interesti🐽ng and I’m learning a lot but for sure I look forward to test the car.

“I’m very hungry to wait and get in [the car].”

Valtteri Bottas’ current Mercedes contract only runs until the end of 2019, meani♒ng the German manufacturer cou𒅌ld promote Ocon to become Hamilton’s teammate in 2020.