Ocon sees persistent rumor about surprise switch quashed

Esteban Ocon hopes to secure a place in Formula 1 in ’27 as well, but there’s essentially nothing available. Only Racing Bulls have not provided clarity about their driver lineup, but Esteban Ocon is not an option there.

If Ocon gets a role in F1, it will be no more than a reserve driver position for next season. Only Cadillac have not yet announced who will take on such a job in 2027.

Becoming the third driver at Mercedes is also not on the cards, according to GPblog’s information. While Toto Wolff and colleagues are still the Frenchman’s managers, Mercedes already has Frederik Vesti in-house for that role.

Various media report that Esteban Ocon will therefore switch to a different world championship. He is said to be joining the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Toyota’s team.

This season, the Japanese manufacturer fields Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, Nyck de Vries, Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa. They are doing so very successfully, as Toyota sits first and second in the title race.

GPblog understands, however, that this lineup will also remain active in the WEC next season. Therefore, signing Esteban Ocon is completely off the table. Should the Frenchman appear in the WEC at any point in the coming months, it will in any case not be with the Japanese outfit.