What Should Be Esteban Ocon’s Next Move?
Esteban Ocon has been a mainstay of the Formula 1 paddock for a decade, but with a Haas seat off the table, the available seats on the grid are quickly closing. Ocon may find himself without a drive in Formula 1, so what are his options?
After a decade in Formula 1, Esteban Ocon has become a familiar face on the grid. Apart from a year on the sidelines in 2019, when he became Mercedes' reserve driver, Ocon has raced for several midfield teams, including Manor, Force India, Alpine and, currently, Haas. Amid rumours of tensions with the team throughout the season, Ocon has announced that he is a free agent and will not sign with Haas for next year.
With Rafael Câmara taking the second seat at Haas F1 Team and the grid remaining largely unchanged, Ocon's options are quickly running out. So, will the Frenchman be on the Formula 1 grid next year, or could another opportunity come knocking? Let's look at some possibilities.
Cadillac Formula 1 Team
One seat that could potentially be available to Ocon is at Cadillac Formula 1 Team, with the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls line-up looking relatively settled. With reserve driver Colton Herta lacking the required Super Licence points to compete in Formula 1, an experienced driver such as Ocon could be an option. It should be noted, however, that both current Cadillac drivers, Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, have contracts for 2027. With Bottas' performance not matching his teammate's, and with Pérez leading in race pace and qualifying, though, could the team decide to look elsewhere?
Pérez and Ocon have been teammates before, during their Force India days, when they had several clashes on track. Since then, Ocon has continued to develop as a driver and has built a good relationship with current Haas teammate Oliver Bearman. With both Ocon and Pérez potentially fighting to secure their futures in the sport, could a reunion create a more mature partnership, with both drivers working together, if a change at Cadillac is on the cards?
Reserve Driver
A third-driver or reserve-driver role is not new to Ocon. After circumstances beyond his control left him without a seat for the 2019 season, Mercedes took him in as their reserve driver. As a Mercedes junior, he remained close to the team during their championship-winning campaign. With current Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti increasing his IMSA commitments for next year, and fellow reserve driver Théo Pourchaire joining Opel's Formula E team, could there be an opportunity for Ocon if no race seat becomes available?
There was also speculation that Ocon could join Aston Martin if Fernando Alonso retired. However, this did not come to fruition, with the Spaniard committing to the team. Could a reserve-driver role still be an option? Rumours have already circulated about Ocon potentially joining the team, and he is also good friends with Lance Stroll. If no race seat becomes available, a reserve role could allow Ocon to remain involved in Formula 1 while keeping the door open for a return to the grid.
Endurance Racing
There are also options outside Formula 1, although Ocon made it clear during the Singapore press conference that his sights remained firmly set on the series. Nevertheless, several former Formula 1 drivers have moved into endurance racing, including the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA).
Given the links between Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing, rumours briefly circulated about a potential WEC role for Ocon, but these have since faded. A career in sports car racing would be a significant change from Formula 1, requiring Ocon to leave single-seaters behind. With Formula 1 still his priority, a move into endurance racing seems unlikely for now. However, only time will tell what the future holds.
Single-Seaters: IndyCar or Formula E
If Ocon decides he wants to remain in single-seaters but cannot find a way back onto the Formula 1 grid for 2027, IndyCar and Formula E could be options.
IndyCar is changing its approach to driver licensing, with greater emphasis on the Indy NXT ladder, although exceptions may still be possible for drivers the series deems suitable. Former Formula 1 drivers, including Mick Schumacher and Marcus Ericsson, have explored racing outside Europe, with varying degrees of success. With IndyCar continuing to attract attention through increased coverage and growing popularity, could a move to America be an option for Ocon?
Formula E could also be a possibility, particularly with the new GEN4 car attracting interest from Formula 1 drivers such as Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz. Several former Formula 1 drivers, including Pascal Wehrlein, Sébastien Buemi and Jean-Éric Vergne, have made the move to Formula E and gone on to be competitive.
Speaking to Racing365, Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds said, “I'd be amazed if he's (Ocon) not sitting with his management, thinking, 'I wonder if there's a space over at Formula E.'”
With many seats already secured for the 2026–2027 season, Formula E could be a more realistic option for 2027 and beyond. With its growing fanbase and increasingly fast cars, the championship could offer Ocon a fresh challenge if he decides to look beyond Formula 1.
With Ocon's sights firmly set on Formula 1, another season on the sidelines could be his most realistic option if no race seat becomes available. He has already shown that a year away from the grid does not have to mean the end of his career, having returned to racing in 2020 after his Mercedes reserve role.
However, the longer Ocon spends away from a race seat, the harder it could become to secure another opportunity. A reserve role might keep him close to Formula 1, while championships such as IndyCar and Formula E could offer a fresh challenge if he decides to look elsewhere.
For now, Ocon's priority remains Formula 1. Whether that means finding another team, taking a step back into a reserve role, or eventually exploring a new championship, his next move could shape the rest of his career. The question is whether Formula 1 still has a place for him.
Article Written by Amy Powis
