F1 INSIDER

01 WHY MERCEDES CHOSE BOTTAS

Twelve months on from the doomed handshake between Mercedes’ Toto Wolff and Renault’s Cyril Abiteboul that left Esteban Ocon on the Formula 1 sidelines for 2019, the two team bosses have buried their differences and sorted a deal for the French youngster to join the French car manufacturer next season. It is, in part, the future of Ocon that has resulted in Mercedes retaining Valtteri Bottas for 2020, rather than plumping for Ocon.

The scenario of Ocon moving to Renault had looked incredibly hard to believe, given that this time last year Wolff was left deeply upset when, following that handshake with Abiteboul that Ocon would be given a seat, things subsequently fell apart.

When Daniel Ricciardo suddenly came available, and Abiteboul sensed a chance to sign a big name and annoy his nemesis Red Bull, Ocon was left high and dry – and consigned to a year as reserve at Mercedes.

Sitting in the wings, Ocon was in the perfect spot to move up to a Mercedes race seat for 2020 if