Source: Official Team Post via X
Esteban Ocon Weighs In on Rafael Camara's Haas Entry
Esteban Ocon has voiced his thoughts on Rafael Camara joining Haas for the 2027 F1 season. While supporting Camara's entry, Ocon asserts his own place in F1 isn't justified by performance issues.
As Haas reshuffles its driver lineup for the 2027 F1 season, Esteban Ocon has made it clear that while he supports Rafael Camara's entry into Formula 1, he feels his own departure isn't due to performance. Camara, a Ferrari junior and current Formula 2 contender, is set to join Haas, leaving Ocon to exit the team at the end of 2026.
Speaking before the United States Grand Prix, Ocon addressed the situation for the first time since Camara's multi-year deal with Haas was announced. While Haas hasn't filled its second seat officially, speculation suggests Oliver Bearman might continue, creating a full Ferrari junior line-up for Haas.
When asked if his mindset has changed, given this could be his final season in F1, Ocon was firm: "I’m coming here to do the best job I can with trying to exploit the maximum amount of the car," he stated. He emphasized his credentials with wins across various racing categories, asserting, "I deserve to be here in Formula 1."
Camara, arriving with backing from Carlos Slim Domit's Escudería Telmex, is expected to be a financial asset for Haas, akin to the support Cadillac's Sergio Perez enjoys. Ocon was coy about whether Camara's commercial potential influenced Haas's decision, but he acknowledged Camara's talent: "What I will say is that Rafa deserves a shot in F1."
Ocon refrained from suggesting which drivers might not deserve their F1 seats, instead focusing on his own readiness to remain in the sport. "Just looking at the results, as I said, Rafa deserves a shot in F1 for sure," he noted, but added, "I don’t deserve to be out in the way that I’ve had at the moment."
Currently, the only open seat for the 2027 grid is at Racing Bulls, where the team is considering Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad, and Nikola Tsolov for its two spots. Asked about interests outside F1, Ocon said, "Not yet, no," though he acknowledged the allure of other high-level categories like WEC and Formula E.
Camara aims to emulate the success of drivers like Charles Leclerc and George Russell by potentially winning the F2 title in his rookie year. Formula 2 and 3 CEO Bruno Michel expressed enthusiasm over Camara's F1 opportunity with Haas, calling it "fantastic news" and a testament to F2's role in preparing drivers for the big leagues.
As the 2027 season looms, Ocon remains focused on finding a spot in F1, confident in his abilities and hopeful for a resolution beyond Haas.