Esteban Ocon has confirmed that his tenure with the Haas Formula 1 team will conclude at the close of the 2026 season, a statement jointly issued by the driver and the outfit. The announcement arrived on Wednesday morning, putting an end to months of speculation surrounding the future of the 30‑year‑old Frenchman within the organization.
Alongside the confirmation of Ocon’s exit, Haas clarified that there is no immediate information regarding his successor. Rumours have circulated that Brazilian Ferrari junior Rafael Camara could be slated to join British youngster Oliver Bearman for the 2027 lineup, but the team has not made any official pronouncement. Ocon took to his social media platforms to acknowledge the departure, writing: “My time with Haas F1 Team will come to an end at the end of the 2026 season. I leave this project with my head held high and proud of my performances in what were not always the easiest of circumstances for various reasons and factors outside of my control.” The French driver moved to Haas from Alpine for the 2025 season, yet throughout his two‑year stint he has been consistently out‑paced by the 21‑year‑old Bearman.
The performance gap widened further in 2026, with Bearman finishing 13th in the Drivers’ Championship with 20 points, while Ocon ended the year 16th with just seven points. In qualifying, Bearman also enjoyed a 10‑to‑4 advantage over Ocon over the course of the season. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu expressed gratitude, stating: “I’d like to thank Esteban for everything he’s contributed to the team since joining us in 2025. His professionalism and commitment have proved valuable as we continue to grow as an organisation.
Together this year we tackled the challenge of a major regulation change, where Esteban’s driving experience and inputs were significant as we’ve worked hard to develop the VF‑26 across the season. There’s still plenty of racing ahead, and our focus remains on working together to maximise every opportunity through to the final race of the year.” With only eight rounds left in the 2026 calendar, the timing of the news suggests Ocon is very likely to be without a full‑time seat for the 2027 season.
Given the scarcity of open positions, the Frenchman may have to consider a reserve‑driver role, but he remains resolute that his Formula 1 career is far from over. “My immediate focus is the next race weekend,” Ocon added.
“I will continue to work hard with the team, maximise every opportunity, and keep extracting every bit of performance from the car. There are still many races to go this season and, as always, I will give it my everything behind the wheel for myself and for my team.
I am still motivated. I am still hungry.
This is absolutely not the end of my Formula 1 career.” Ocon’s journey in Formula 1 has seen similar setbacks before. In 2019 he served as a reserve driver for Mercedes after being released by Force India—a team that later morphed into Racing Point and subsequently Aston Martin. He returned to the grid in 2020 with Renault, staying for five seasons as the squad rebranded to Alpine, and secured his sole Grand Prix victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. His most notable result with Haas came early in his tenure, when he finished fifth at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix.
In the 2026 season his best finish was an eighth place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. These performances, while respectable, were eclipsed by Bearman’s rapid ascent and the team’s strategic alignment with Ferrari’s junior programme. Looking ahead, Haas appears poised to field two Ferrari‑linked drivers in 2027. Both Bearman and the anticipated replacement, Camara, are contracted to the Italian manufacturer, which supplies Haas with its power units.
Camara, currently 21, leads the Formula 2 championship by seven points with two races remaining, making him a highly attractive prospect for the team. The broader Formula 1 calendar continues to evolve, with the sport returning to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through NOW, offering a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime service. In summary, Esteban Ocon’s departure from Haas marks the end of a brief but eventful chapter.
While his future in the sport remains uncertain, his determination and past achievements suggest he will continue to pursue opportunities within Formula 1, whether as a reserve driver, a test driver, or potentially a full‑time seat should a vacancy arise. The coming months will reveal whether Ocon can secure a new drive or if he will need to chart a different path within the racing world.