Blog
Esteban Ocon Confirms F1 Plan After Haas Departure
123Helmets Editorial Team
Esteban Ocon’s F1 plan after leaving Haas is clear: he wants to stay in Formula 1 in 2027, even if that means a third driver role instead of a race seat. Haas and Ocon confirmed at the end of September that they would part ways at the end of the 2026 season.
Key Takeaways
Haas and Ocon confirmed at the end of September that they will part ways after the 2026 season.
Ocon says he wants to race in F1 for the next five to seven years.
He ruled out racing in another category if he has no F1 seat, answering “No.”
A third driver role is his fallback; he did the job at Mercedes in 2019.
What Esteban Ocon has confirmed about his future
Esteban Ocon has confirmed that he wants to remain in Formula 1 next year and has no intention of appearing in any paddock other than F1’s. He spoke to the media, including RacingNews365, as he works on his plans for 2027.
Asked where he could take his talents next season, his answer was a single word: “F1.” The Frenchman is in his 10th F1 season in 2026, driving for Haas alongside Oliver Bearman.
Why the Haas split leaves few options
Haas and Ocon confirmed at the end of September that they would part ways at the end of the 2026 campaign. The decision means the driver is searching for a new home in a market with very little room.
According to the source, very few seats remain on the 2027 grid, so Ocon’s options for a full-time drive appear to be limited. The other Haas seat belongs to Oliver Bearman this year, and the team’s wider plans for 2027 are not covered in the source.
Ocon rules out racing outside F1
Ocon has said he will not race in another category in 2027 if he cannot secure an F1 seat. When asked directly whether he would race even without an F1 drive, he answered: “No.”
He acknowledged that other categories are fantastic, but made clear his focus is on Formula 1 in the near future. According to the source, he insisted he will stay around F1 in any circumstance, even if that means not racing elsewhere.
The third driver fallback
If Ocon fails to sign a full-time seat for 2027, he says he would take a third driver role. He told the media: “Yes. If there are no possibilities to race next year, that’s what I will do.”
It is familiar territory for him. He performed third driver duties at Mercedes in 2019 before joining Renault the following year.
Ocon’s long-term ambition
Ocon wants to race in F1 for the next five to seven years, and he argues his results justify a place on the grid. He says he will keep pushing to be in that position.
For now, the 2027 grid has few openings, and the source does not name any team he is in talks with. Fans who follow the Haas line-up can browse the Haas collection for display pieces linked to the team.
“That’s where I deserve to be, if I look at the results and what I’ve shown in F1. I deserve to be in F1.”
— Esteban Ocon
“But I want to be racing in F1 for the next five to seven years.”
— Esteban Ocon
“Yes. If there are no possibilities to race next year, that’s what I will do.”
— Esteban Ocon
FAQ
Q: Is Esteban Ocon leaving Haas?
Yes, Esteban Ocon will leave Haas at the end of the 2026 season. Haas and Ocon confirmed the split at the end of September.
Q: Will Ocon race outside F1 in 2027?
No, Ocon says he would not race in another category if he has no F1 drive. When asked if he would race anyway, he answered: “No.”
Q: What will Ocon do if he has no F1 race seat?
He would take a third driver role. He said that if there are no possibilities to race next year, that is what he will do.
Q: Has Ocon been a third driver before?
Yes, he performed third driver duties at Mercedes in 2019 before joining Renault the following year.
Shop Haas Helmets
Display and collector replicas only. Not certified for protective use. Full-size 1:1 scale.
This article was written with the help of AI tools. Editorial policy
