Esteban Ocon reacts to Haas's decision to bring Rafael Camara onboard for the 2027 Formula 1 season.

Ocon firmly stated that his performances were not the reason for his exit, but once again refrained from elaborating on the specific factors that led Haas to opt against renewing his contract.

"I can't say much more. What I will mention is that Rafa deserves a chance in F1. I think he has demonstrated his talent in the categories he's competed in," he remarked ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix.

"However, I don't deserve to be absent from F1 at the same time. That's the reality. I'm here to deliver the best performance I can, striving to extract the utmost from the car.

"As I mentioned, I deserve my place in Formula 1. There are numerous reasons for my absence next year, but they are not due to my performance. I've achieved victories in every category I've participated in.

Rafael Camara joins Haas F1 Team for 2027

"I've excelled in go-karts, Formula Renault, Formula 3, GP3, and F1. In all these categories, I've won races. From a sporting standpoint, I believe I belong in F1. I am confident that this will not be my final year in F1."

Ocon's focus, therefore, was on ensuring he could continue to perform in his remaining races for Haas and aid the team in its bid to maintain seventh place in the constructors' championship - currently holding a seven-point advantage over Audi.

Despite receiving public backing after the announcement regarding his 2026 drive, Ocon stated he did not require private encouragement from his fellow competitors - nor had he received any.

"Of course, I chat with some of the guys outside of racing," the Frenchman noted. "Lance came to talk to me, for instance. But I haven't gotten any messages from anyone.

"They haven't reached out to me - supportive in the media. That's fine. It's not the end, anyway. I'm not seeking any backing from drivers or anything like that. That's not what I need. It's a challenging world for everyone in a way.

"We're all experiencing the same pressure. If you don't perform for three races, you’re deemed the worst. If you deliver three solid races, you’re hailed as the best. That's the challenge of the sport."