With the increasing likelihood of being without a seat in Formula 1 next season, Esteban Ocon may have to accept his fate remains out of his own hands.

Therefore he will be even more disappointed to learn he was among the contenders being considered to drive for Renault in 2019.

That's after Cyril Abiteboul revealed Ocon's ties with Mercedes is what denied him the opportunity to race for the constructors.

Instead, Renault opted for Australian driver, Daniel Ricciardo, to join Nico Hulkenberg as his new racing partner. 

Abiteboul has explained the decision and admitted their previous experiences in similar situations, played a factor.

Previously, Carlos Sainz caused a few issues for the French manufacturers, as he was still technically a Red Bull driver. 

"It was a difficult decision," Abiteboul explained. per Motorsport. “I think Esteban (Ocon) was a great fit.

“We’ve been extremely honest in our decision with people around Esteban – as always with these things the discussions are never with the driver – but in the present case, it was a bit awkward because it was a competitor, Mercedes.

“That’s something that was at the back of our minds, the fact that we still again had to discuss with a competitor regarding a driver.

“We were just coming out of that with Carlos (Sainz), with a positive and a negative associated.

“I have to accept the fact that without discussing with Red Bull we would not have had Carlos this year, and I think it was great to have Carlos, so I think on balance we still did something good last year.

“But having to do that again – one more year or two more years, 2019 and 2020 – in years we are supposed to if we are to comply with our roadmap, start competing with top team. Being dependent on that top team, a competitor, for a very important resource, felt a little bit awkward." 

Within the current Formula 1 standings, Ocon sits 11th and a place higher than current Renault driver, Carlos Sainz.

However, Hulkenberg's new team-mate for the 2019 season, Daniel Ricciardo, is currently sixth and two points behind Max Verstappen - possibly suggesting that the Australian could take Renault in a new direction if given a competitive car.