Toto Wolff believes that 𝄹Formula 2 championship leader George Russell is not in as tricky a position as fellow Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon as both look to secure a Formula 1 drive for 2019.

Russell leads the🅺 F2 standings by 22 points heading into the penultimate round of the season in Russia this weekend, and is vying to become the latest graduate from the series to F1 next year.

However, with F1 sophomore Ocon 168澳洲ꦿ幸运5官方开奖结果历史:struggling to find a seat for 2🔥019 following some unexpected driver market moves through the summer, R♚ussell has also conceded his posiꦯtion has become more complicated.

Both drivers have been tipped as candidates for a seat with Williams - one of the few teams with a se🦂at stꦡill free - in 2019, but Mercedes motorsport chief Wolff does not expect Russell and Ocon to trip across each other, believing them to be in very different positions in their career.

“I think the two of them are at very different stages in tꦇheir career. George is still in the fight for the F2 championship and it's not done, and he clearly has the talent and would merit to go into Formula 1,” Wolff said.

“He's not in as tricky position as Esteban. I don't think the two of t🍰hem will stumble across themselves [and] come into each other's way.”

Ocon looks set to sp❀end a year not racing in F1, instead ta𒁏king up a reserve role with Mercedes, but Wolff is hopeful of getting the Frenchman back on the grid for 2020.

“I think it doesn't feel right for somebody like Esteban to sit out a year testing. But we've seen it in the past,🐻” Wolff said.

“I believe that the market is going to be very different in the early summer next year, not only with us, but also with some of the other teams. Some doors wil🍒l open, others will remain closed.

“It’s just about findin🦩g the next right opportunity for Esteb🦂an.”