Esteban Ocon Aims to Stay in F1 Despite Leaving Haas

Esteban Ocon is preparing to part ways with Haas at the conclusion of the 2026 season, yet his aspirations in Formula 1 remain very much alive. Despite stepping away from the American team, Ocon is keen on continuing his F1 career, holding onto the possibility of a reserve role if necessary.

As the 2027 grid fills up, Ocon's next move is uncertain, with only Racing Bulls and Haas yet to finalize their line-ups. Speaking ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, Ocon reflected on his decade-long F1 career, which includes one victory and three additional podium finishes. "You never know what can happen in F1," Ocon remarked. "Opportunities can arise quickly, and I'm not considering anything outside of F1 because that's where I belong."

Ocon added, "The best I can do is to focus on my performance on track, maximizing the car's potential. Since Budapest, our car has become more consistent, barring Monza, and we've been consistently scoring points. Our efforts are finally paying off, and I plan to continue this trend."

Indeed, Ocon has demonstrated resilience, contributing to Haas' recent progress, including a double top-10 finish in Baku. He attributes this success to early problem-solving efforts within the team. Reflecting on his time with Haas, Ocon said, "I've helped uncover significant issues early on, which have led to healthier cars. These improvements were crucial for our recent successes."

Ocon is open to the idea of stepping into a third driver role if needed, recalling his stint as Mercedes' reserve in 2019. He stated, "At worst, yes, I would consider a reserve position. I want to race full-time, but we'll see what opportunities arise."

Meanwhile, Ocon's teammate, Oliver Bearman, is likely to continue with Haas for a third season, possibly stepping into a leadership role. Bearman expressed his gratitude for Ocon's mentorship, noting, "Esteban has been a fantastic teammate. I've learned a lot from him about working with the team and his speed is undeniable."

Bearman is optimistic about his own development, saying, "I've come a long way since joining F1. It's been a valuable learning experience, particularly in understanding how to extract the best from the team and the car."

As Ocon looks to the future, he remains positive about his prospects in Formula 1, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the sport. "Don't write me off yet," he insists, hopeful that new opportunities will present themselves as the F1 landscape continues to shift.