Share this article on LinkedIn Email

Mercedes junior driver Esteban Ocon would rather move to the DTM than GP2 for 2016, after adding the GP3 title to his '14 Formula 3 European Championship success.

The 19-year-old Frenchman has been confirmed as a fully-fledged Mercedes Formula 1 junior for next season, though his exact role is yet to be defined.

Ocon said his future is in Mercedes' hands, but he does not feel he needs to stay in single-seaters next year.

"I don't know what I'm doing yet but I think the tendency is more towards DTM," Ocon told Autosport.

"If I had to choose between DTM and GP2 I would go towards DTM.

"But it's not decided yet, maybe it will be GP2, I don't know."

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff said in Abu Dhabi that Ocon could share F1 duties next year with Pascal Wehrlein, who clinched the DTM title this year while also acting as the F1 team's reserve.

"Having taken up Esteban we are conscious we need to find a suitable programme for both of them," said Wolff.

"It could well mean both of them end up in a testing role, in a reserve driver role and a DTM role, so it's not done yet."

Ocon added that he feels fortunate to be on Mercedes' books so he would accept if Wehrlein took precedence in 2016.

"It's Toto's decision not mine," he said. "I'm just very happy to be part of the Mercedes programme.

"If he wants to put [Wehrlein] before me it's his choice.

"I'm just very fortunate to be here already and I can't be unhappy about his choice."

Ocon almost made his DTM debut in the 2015 finale at Hockenheim, being called up to replace an unwell Daniel Juncadella for first practice before the Spaniard recovered in time to retake his seat.