Esteban Ocon confirms his Formula 1 future remains uncertain after Haas departure but insists he deserves to stay on the grid.

Esteban Ocon declared his determination to remain in Formula 1 despite Haas confirming his departure at the end of 2026. The French driver emphasized that Formula 1 is where he belongs, refusing to consider alternatives outside the championship.

Ocon acknowledged needing two or three months to find himself again after learning of his situation, but believes recent strong performances in Baku and Madrid demonstrate he still deserves a Formula 1 seat. He pointed to his comprehensive racing record across categories including go-karts, Formula Renault, GP3, Formula 3, and his 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix victory as evidence of his capability.

The 30-year-old has struggled with the inconsistent Haas car throughout his tenure, often complaining about aerodynamic oscillations and unpredictable handling characteristics. Teammate Oliver Bearman has generally extracted better results from the same machinery, leading to questions about Ocon's adaptation to the team's approach.

Potential options for Ocon appear limited to Cadillac, where both Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas hold options for next year that remain unconfirmed. He could also consider a test driver role at Aston Martin with potential promotion when Fernando Alonso eventually retires from the sport.