Esteban Ocon is hoping to stay in the Formula 1 paddock for the 2027 season, but his best option might have just escaped him.

The Frenchman is leaving Haas at the end of the season, having failed to get the better of younger teammate Oliver Bearman in his two years with the team.

Rafael Camara will replace Ocon next year, leaving the 30-year-old out of a drive and scrambling to find his next opportunity.

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Esteban Ocon joining Mercedes as a reserve driver is not his ‘most likely landing point’

Ocon’s options for 2027 are dwindling fast. The only seats supposedly available are at Racing Bulls, but he stands very little chance of joining the Red Bull setup.

It has been reported that Ocon wants Valtteri Bottas’ Cadillac seat, but there are a number of complications. The Finn already has a contract for 2027, and Cadillac know their car is letting Bottas down.

Furthermore, Ocon would have to be teammates with Sergio Perez, and the two do not get along after their time at Racing Point.

His most likely option is to take on a reserve driver role. It was rumoured that Ocon has visited the Mercedes motorhome, having been with the team as their reserve driver in 2019.

However, according to journalist Lawrence Barretto, Mercedes are not Ocon’s ‘most likely landing point’ for 2027. Given the team’s dominance in 2026, they would have been the Frenchman’s best chance of staying in F1, but that does not seem like a realistic option.

Barretto said via F1 TV: “It’s tough on Esteban, because he’s a race winner, of course. I think he feels like he’s done a good job at the team, but it kind of ran its natural course and he just doesn’t want to give up on Formula 1 and the race drive.

“So, he’s still holding out for a race seat on the grid for next year. It’s looking really difficult because there’s a couple of spots at Racing Bulls, but they want to keep it in the Red Bull family.

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“And that kind of leaves no other option than a reserve role. So, he’ll hold out for until all the grid slots are signed up and then it’s looking like a reserve role.

“But, I’m hearing Mercedes, which is where he’s been a junior, is actually not his most likely landing point. So, he might try something a little bit different just to give him the best shot to catapult himself back onto the grid.”

Whether Ocon will get a reserve role in F1 or join another series in 2027 is anyone’s guess. But his chances of getting a full-time F1 seat for next season are slim to none.