Vijay Mallya had "final say" on choice of Sergio Perez's team-mate
Monday 14 November 2016 15:31, UK
Force India have described their selection of Esteban Ocon to partner Sergio Perez in 2017 as a "very close call".
The French youngster is understood to have beaten off competition from fellow Mercedes graduate and Manor team-mate Pascal Wehrlein to take the seat made vacant by the Renault-bound Nico Hulkenberg.
Felipe Nasr, whose candidature was bolstered by substantial financial backing, is also believed to have been in contention.
Revealing that Force India owner Vijay Mallya "had the final say" in Ocon's appointment, deputy team boss Bob Fernley told Sky Sports: "It was a very close call but Esteban just came out on top - it was tough competition.
"We've always had a very clear opinion of what we need from a driver point of view which is the best driver that Force India can afford. Whether that means a package or purely talent, that's Vijay's final call."
The press release announcing Ocon had signed what was described as a 'multi-year deal' included commentary from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, a reminder in itself that Mercedes are Force India's engine providers and Ocon remains part of the Silvers Arrows' driver development programme.
According to Wolff, Ocon's promotion amounted to a "positive development for Formula 1 that talent wins over money" but the Austrian then had the rather less celebratory task of informing Wehrlein he had been overlooked.
"Yesterday [Thursday] l received the call that Force India had decided to take him," Wehrlein told Sky Sports. "I can't change that. I received the call from Toto that Force India had decided to take him. It's not the end of the world."
