Sao Paulo: French driver Esteban Ocon will race for Force India next season after agreeing a multi-year deal, the Silverstone-based Formula One team said in a statement at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Thursday.

Ocon replaces experienced German Nico Hulkenberg, who is moving to Renault, alongside Mexican Sergio Perez at a team co-owned by Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya and currently fourth in the championship.

The 20-year-old is contracted long-term to Mercedes, Force India's engine provider, and made his debut this year with the lowly Manor team as a mid-season replacement for Indonesian Rio Haryanto.

"I'm still relatively new to Formula One, but spending half-a-season at Manor Racing has given me some valuable experience and I feel ready for this new opportunity with Sahara Force India," he said.

The Force India announcement leaves only Mercedes-powered Manor with a clear vacancy, although Swiss-based Sauber have yet to confirm Brazilian Felipe Nasr and Sweden's Marcus Ericsson are staying.

Renault confirmed Britain's Jolyon Palmer on Wednesday with Haas set to sign Denmark's Kevin Magnussen.

Ocon's promotion is likely to be seen as a setback for German youngster Pascal Wehrlein, the Frenchman's more experienced Manor teammate and also the Mercedes reserve who scored a point in Austria in July.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff made clear that he saw Ocon as a big talent for the future.

"Esteban has the most impressive track record in junior formulae and he is an exceptional personality outside of the car," he said. Ocon is one of several youngsters, including Red Bull's Dutch teenager Max Verstappen and Wehrlein, to enter Formula One on talent rather than their financial contribution.

Ocon tested for Force India last year and expected a busy few months ahead.

(Reuters)