Esteban Ocon declares ‘I deserve to be’ in F1

Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images The 2027 Formula 1 grid is nearly filled. But one driver that looks to be frozen out of a full-time spot on the grid is Esteban Ocon. Recently, Ocon confirmed that the veteran driver will not be back with Haas next season, making Ocon a free agent for 2027, and an experienced one at that. Ocon is a veteran of more than nine seasons on the grid and has four podiums, and a win, on his F1 resume. Yet, he might be without a full-time spot on the grid next season. Still, Ocon believes he deserves a spot on the grid, and speaking to the media on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, the veteran driver made it clear that his sights remain set on F1 for 2027. “Yeah, still working on it, still discussing,” said Ocon in the FIA Press Conference on Thursday. “When I will have more news for you guys, I will announce something, definitely. But at the moment, full focus is on this weekend, keep going with the nice work that we’ve done in the last couple of events, keep the overtaking going. I think I’ve done more than 100 overtakes this year, so that’s quite good. Obviously, if you start on pole, you don’t do any overtakes, but that’s not the pace we have. So yeah, let’s keep that going and keep fighting.” Asked by David Croft of Sky Sports F1, Ocon emphasized that he deserves a spot on the grid, given his racing resume. “Formula 1. That’s where I deserve to be,” said Ocon. “If I look at the results and what I’ve shown in Formula 1, I deserve to be in Formula 1. So of course, there are other categories which are fantastic as well, but I want to be racing in Formula 1 in the next five, seven years. That’s where I want to be. So I will keep pushing to be in that position. So yeah, in the near future, that’s the only thing I’m looking at so far.” However, Ocon conceded that a reserve role — such as the one he took with Mercedes during the 2019 season — could be in the cards. “Yes, yeah. That will be, if there are no possibilities to race next year, that’s what I would do, yeah,“ said Ocon when asked about that possibility by Croft. A return trip to Mercedes could be his best option for 2027, as Toto Wollf continues to manage Ocon’s racing career. In addition, not only did Ocon enjoy a stint as a reserve at Mercedes during 2019, the Silver Arrows welcomed back Valtteri Bottas as a reserve for the 2025 season, before he found a spot on the grid as a full-time driver for Cadillac this year. Could Ocon follow a similar path? Given how the options are dwindling, a return trip to Mercedes might just be in his future. Want to stay updated on all the latest F1 news? Download the brand new SB Nation app and join our F1 Community! There, you can read all the latest from the paddock and talk about Formula 1 all year long with fans from around the world!

Read it at SB Nation ↗

← Front page