MELBOURNE, Australia -- Esteban Ocon says he must beat Force India teammate Sergio Perez this year in order to advance his career after 2018.
Ocon joined Force India alongside Perez at the start of the 2017 season and after a tense battle between the two finished the year 13 points shy of his teammate. The Frenchman, who is contracted to Mercedes as part of the German manufacturer's young driver programme, is hoping to use his Force India drive as a springboard to join the world champions in the future.
Ocon said he had been set targets by Mercedes for 2018 and hinted that beating Perez was one of them.