Esteban Ocon has insisted he will not look outside Formula 1 for a seat, despite Haas F1 Team confirming that he will not be part of the outfit in 2027. The announcement came ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, marking the end of a one-season partnership.
The Frenchman expressed frustration, stating that the decision does not reflect his contributions. "It is frustrating because it's not really the way it should be," Ocon told reporters at Sepang. "I'm not going to go into detail in what happens in the past; I'm looking ahead, I'm looking at the future. But, I mean, I deserve to be here. I put the hard work in, we benefited from finding out all these issues very early since I joined the team. It has been very, very good for everyone."
Despite being dropped by Haas, Ocon emphasised that his focus remains on Formula 1. "My focus is on Formula 1. That is clear, that's where I belong, that's where I want to be. I'm not going to look elsewhere. That's very clear," he said. He also noted that there are still opportunities to explore for 2027, and he is not facing "a 2019 yet", referencing his loss of a Racing Point seat at the end of 2018.
Ocon had been linked to a potential Cadillac move for 2027, but that appears unlikely as Valtteri Bottas is expected to continue with the American team. Rumours of a switch to the FIA World Endurance Championship with Toyota were also dismissed by reputable sportscar media. "There are still hopes, and hope is what motivates me to stay on track," he added.
Ocon's seat at Haas is expected to be taken by Formula 2 frontrunner and Ferrari junior Rafael Camara. The decision comes after a season of evaluation, with Haas aiming to improve their competitiveness on the F1 grid. Ocon scored his first points for Haas this season, but consistency has been a challenge.
Throughout his F1 career, Ocon has been known for his resilience. He secured a victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with Alpine, but his journey has been far from smooth. "I've always had to fight super hard in Formula 1 for everything I had. I've always had tough moments, people pulling me lower than the ground, digging my hole, but I've always shown that, with resilience, hard work, and motivation, I can overcome those moments. That's what I will keep doing," he concluded.
With this confirmation, Ocon has until the end of the season to prove he still belongs in F1. Several seats could potentially open up, especially if other drivers move or teams undergo changes. However, the pressure is mounting given his age and the fierce competition in the driver market.
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