A report has revealed the two Formula 1 drivers who are battling for the ‘final seat’ on the 2027 grid.
Six races remain in the 2026 F1 season as Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli leads the way in the drivers’ standings ahead of teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
Naturally, given Antonelli and Russell’s stellar performances on the track, Mercedes are top of the constructors’ standings ahead of Ferrari and McLaren.
There are plenty of points to play for, with Grands Prix in Austin, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Las Vegas, Lusail and Abu Dhabi, which will host the final race of the season, still to come.
But there’s also a battle off the track as two F1 drivers are involved in a duel to determine the ‘final seat’ on the 2027 paddock.
Esteban Ocon’s Haas Departure Leaves F1 Driver ‘Trembling for His Place’
Esteban Ocon will leave Haas at the end of the current season, with Ferrari junior and Formula 2 leader Rafael Camara taking his place to team up with Ollie Bearman. Brazil’s Camara has penned a multi-year agreement and will make his F1 debut next year.
But Ocon, who won the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2021, is hoping to stay on the grid for next season and there is one seat that could become available.
In a report published by Swiss outlet Blick, Valtteri Bottas is ‘trembling for his place’ at Cadillac due to Ocon’s and his availability.
It was previously reported that Cadillac, who made their official debut as a full constructor this season, no longer want to continue with their current pairing of Bottas and Sergio Perez for 2027.
Sergio Perez Is a ‘Guaranteed Starter’ for 2027 F1 Season
But a fresh report from Blick claims Perez is a ‘guaranteed starter’ for the 2027 F1 season. The Mexican has been the fastest of the two Cadillac drivers.
As for Bottas, he’s fighting to retain his seat, with Ocon hoping for an opportunity with F1’s newest team.
Team principal Marcin Budkowski is an admirer of the 30-year-old, with the pair previously working under the same set-up at Alpine. That gives the Frenchman a chance of landing a seat, but the Finn is still under contract with Cadillac after signing a multi-year deal.
If Ocon fails to replace Bottas at Cadillac, then a role as a reserve driver could be an avenue he explores to stay in the sport for next year, having previously been a reserve driver for Mercedes in 2019.
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