Esteban Ocon appeared to feel that he has put himself firmly in the shop window of Formula 1 after leading a double-points finish for Haas in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The Frenchman confirmed a summer of speculation by admitting he is currently a “free agent” upon arrival in Baku, amid fresh rumours he is set to be replaced by Formula 2 title-leader Rafael Camara at the American squad.
But the signs of a revitalisation for Ocon and the Haas team were strong after good pace was shown in free practice, but a yellow flag in Q2 saw him miss out on a likely Q3 appearance.
Agonisingly missing out on the chance to affirm a place in the top 10 left Ocon cutting a miserable figure, with the hope of turning it into something good on race day.
And amid a chaotic double-Safety Car appearance, that is exactly what he and teammate Ollie Bearman did, finishing eighth, which would have been seventh but for being pipped on the line by Arvid Lindblad.
But it did not take anything away from Ocon, who told media after the race: “I can say I deserved that, not all the rest of the shit.”
When asked if he felt vindicated in his own self-belief in producing good results when the car is competitive, the 2021 Hungarian GP winner strongly affirmed that he did.
“Yeah. I’ve raced with everyone out there, and I’ve always been on par,” he said. “I’ve won every championship that I’ve raced with.
“I’ve won races in Formula Renault, I’ve won championships in go-karts, I’ve won Formula 3, I’ve won GP3. I was racing in the top 10 in DTM for half a season, I won in Formula 1.
“I can do it. I’m one of the best out there, and I’m not afraid to say it.”
With the majority of teams now confirmed for 2027, Ocon’s options appear to be currently dwindling, but his Baku showing will put teams in both F1 and wider series on notice that the talent is still very much there.
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