Esteban Ocon: 'One of the Best' Amidst Uncertainty and a Strong Baku Finish

Esteban Ocon, driving for Haas, emerged from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with more than just points. He left Baku with a renewed sense of self-assurance, boldly declaring himself "one of the best out there" among his Formula 1 peers. This comes at a critical time as rumors swirl about his future with the team.

The 2026 season has been a rollercoaster for the Frenchman, and Friday's qualifying session in Azerbaijan did little to ease the tension. A yellow flag thwarted his efforts, leaving him in P14 when a Q3 appearance seemed within reach. The timing couldn't have been worse, given the ongoing discussions about his contract for 2027. Ocon had previously hinted at being "definitely a free agent for next year," adding fuel to the speculation fire.

However, Saturday brought redemption. Ocon seized his opportunities during the race, navigating the hectic environment to finish P8 — his best result of the season and only his third top-10 finish. The only blemish was losing a place to Arvid Lindblad at the line, but his spirits were notably higher than they had been after qualifying.

"Super happy with the result," Ocon commented. "When the car is working, that's what we deserve. We had a strong car since the beginning of the weekend. We took all the right decisions, on the pit stop, on the Safety Car."

The race's pivotal moment for Ocon came after the first Safety Car. He was battling with Liam Lawson at Turn 1 when a collision involving Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly, and Lando Norris helped clear a path. This allowed Ocon to surge up to P9, and he soon overtook his teammate Ollie Bearman, who had been slowed by contact with Kimi Antonelli.

Following a second restart, Ocon benefited from Oscar Piastri's error, moving both Haas drivers into P7 and P8. "From there on, it was about maintaining position," Ocon explained. "The quicker cars were gone, so we played the team game with Ollie."

Although he briefly lost the upper hand to the Racing Bulls due to a Valtteri Bottas incident, Ocon's P8 finish was still a testament to his resilience. "I cut the corner because I didn't know if Valtteri was in the middle of the track," Ocon recounted. "I thought I don't want to be at the stewards arguing that I gained an advantage, so I backed off."

After the race, Ocon reflected on his career achievements, saying, "I've raced with everyone out there, and I've always been on par. I've won every championship that I've raced in. I'm one of the best out there, and I'm not afraid to say it."

Teammate Ollie Bearman also had a reason to smile, securing P9 and praising the team for their efforts. "I'm super happy to score points with both cars," Bearman said. "Even if it was a race of attrition, we'll take it. To stay in a race like this is always the target."

Despite the external uncertainties, Ocon's performance in Baku serves as a reminder of his potential and determination. As the F1 circus moves on, he hopes to keep the momentum going and prove his worth, irrespective of his future team.

!BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - SEPTEMBER 23: Esteban Ocon of France and Haas F1 talks to the media duringOcon's future remains uncertain with no confirmed drive for 2027