Esteban Ocon, current driver for the Haas F1 Team, has shared his views on the signing of young Rafael Camara, who will replace Ocon starting in the 2027 season. Camara, who is currently leading the Formula 2 championship, has recently been confirmed as the new driver for the American team.
Ocon has acknowledged that, although Camara deserves the opportunity in Formula 1, he himself does not deserve to be left without a place for next year. The 30-year-old Frenchman is facing a complicated landscape with few options on the 2027 grid, and it is possible that he may have to settle for a reserve contract instead of moving to another category.
The driver has insisted that his performance during the season is not the reason for his dismissal but has avoided going into detail about the decisions made by Haas. ‘Rafa deserves an opportunity in F1. He has proven to be a good driver in the categories he has competed in,’ Ocon stated at the gates of the United States Grand Prix.
Furthermore, Ocon highlighted his accumulated experience in various categories, where he has achieved success, and expressed his conviction that he deserves to continue in Formula 1: ‘I have won in karts, Formula Renault, Formula 3, GP3, and in F1. From a sporting perspective, I believe I deserve to be here. I do not consider this to be my last season in F1.’
Ocon, who wants to finish the season positively and help Haas in its fight to remain seventh in the constructors’ championship, is not seeking public support from his competitors. He has commented that, although he has received supportive messages from teammates, he does not need these gestures to keep moving forward.
With Camara’s arrival at Haas, Ocon’s future in Formula 1 appears uncertain, despite his passion for the sport and determination to showcase his potential until the end of his tenure with the American team.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
