Esteban Gutierrez Seeking Williams Seat For 2019 F1 Season

After sporadic appearances in Formula E and IndyCar, former Sauber and Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez is now determined to try securing a new Formula 1 seat.

The 27-year old Mexican went on to join Mercedes as a simulator driver and has even attended a few races with the team. While he didn’t go as far as to confirm a Williams bid, he did tell Autosport that he might get the chance to race in Formula 1 next year.

As of right now, Williams looks like the only team on the grid with a realistic opening, as Lance Stroll is all but sure to join Racing Point Force India next year, and Toro Rosso is apparently set to replace Brendon Hartley with Alexander Albon.

Williams only has one driver confirmed for 2019, George Russell, while options for the second seat include Esteban Ocon, Sergey Sirotkin and Robert Kubica.

“I am working very hard, I’ve been preparing a lot this year, I am very motivated,” stated Gutierrez. “I’ve been working with Mercedes, a very professional team, actively on the simulator, doing different things, and I am really positive about the future.”

When asked about the prospect of joining Williams, the only team with an available seat, the Mexican driver went on to sing their praise, saying that they’re “one of the most respected teams in Formula 1.”

He then added: “I think they’ve had difficult years, but the people they have and the team they are I am pretty sure they can recover pretty well.”

In 2016, when he raced for Haas, Gutierrez failed to score a single point, while his teammate Romain Grosjean secured 29 points. Apparently, Gutierrez feels as though he has unfinished business.

“I think I feel like I have a lot to give in Formula 1, and I am very motivated for it. I have chances, I am here. At the beginning of the year I was not involved with a Formula 1 team and now I am with Mercedes, which is at the moment one of the most important teams in Formula 1.”