Ocon: "I want to be world champion. It's my goal and dream"

Esteban Ocon has reiterated his goal to become world champion one day despite not having an F1 seat for 2019.

Ocon was released by Force India with Lance Stroll coming into replace the French driver, who is now a simulation driver for Mercedes.

The 22-year-old is still very highly-rated at Mercedes, and by boss Toto Wolff; with Ocon eyeing up Valtteri Bottas' seat for the 2020 season, putting all the pressure on Bottas to improve in 2019.

"I will be at all the grands prix and informed about everything in case I have to return at one point or another," Ocon told France's Auto Hebdo. "You never know what will happen in Formula 1."

Ocon believes that the Europe-based races will be particularly busy for his new role at Mercedes.

"I will be in the simulator after FP2 to test all of the possibilities for car adjustments and prepare ideally for Lewis (Hamilton) and Valtteri's qualifying," Ocon continued.

"After that I will fly out on Saturday morning and be at the circuit that day."

The French driver said he is happy with his new role, because it allows him to completely focus on his future in the sport without any distractions.

"I want to be world champion one day," Ocon revealed. "It's my goal and my dream. Of course it's not great not to compete this season, but I'm still focused on F1 and I think that's the right choice. After that, if I do not find a seat for 2020, then I will go to something else, because I have to continue racing."