Esteban Ocon is hopeful that his current and future employers can reach an agreement that will allow him to test for Renault in Abu Dhabi.
Ocon will return to the Formula 1 grid in 2020 after signing a two-year deal to race for Renault.
Ocon currently holds the role of Mercedes’ test and reserve driver, having been part of its junior scheme since 2015, and has played a crucial role in its simulator through 2019.
Ocon has attended engineering briefings but has gradually been phased out of this role since his Renault deal was confirmed in August.
His last on-track running with Mercedes came in October when he carried out tyre testing of Pirelli’s 2020 prototypes in Barcelona.
Ocon revealed to Sky Sports that he is pushing Renault and Mercedes to come to a resolution that will allow him to sample the R.S.19, and the 2020 tyres, in Abu Dhabi next month.
Formula 1 is staying on at the Yas Marina Circuit after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for two days of running on December 3 and 4.
Renault is one of just two teams that will field a tweaked line-up in 2020, with the only other change coming at Williams, which has yet to announce Robert Kubica’s replacement.
At last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix several new-for-2019 team/driver pairings made their respective first appearances in order to get a head-start.
Though several had connections that facilitated their early release – such as Charles Leclerc at Ferrari and Pierre Gasly at Red Bull – Kimi Raikkonen tested for Sauber, Carlos Sainz Jr. for McLaren and Lance Stroll for Racing Point, just two days after completing their last race for their previous team.
