Esteban Ocon has confirmed that he will part ways with the Haas Formula 1 team at the conclusion of the 2026 season, a statement that has now been verified by both the driver and the outfit. The announcement, which arrived on Wednesday morning, finally puts an end to months of speculation surrounding the future of the 30‑year‑old Frenchman within the American‑based squad. In the same press release, Haas also clarified that there is no immediate information to share regarding Ocon's successor. Although rumours have circulated that Ferrari’s junior talent, Brazilian driver Rafael Camara, could be paired with Britain’s rising star Oliver Bearman for the 2027 lineup, the team has chosen not to confirm any such negotiations at this stage.
Ocon took to his own social‑media channels to acknowledge the news, writing: “My tenure with the Haas F1 Team will conclude 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 made the move from Alpine to Haas for the 2025 season, but over the course of two years he has been consistently outshone by his much younger teammate, 21‑year‑old Oliver Bearman. The performance gap widened noticeably in 2026: Bearman finished the Drivers’ Championship in 13th place with 20 points, while Ocon ended up 16th with just seven points.
In qualifying head‑to‑head battles, Bearman held a 10‑4 advantage over Ocon throughout the season. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu expressed his gratitude, stating: “I would like to thank Esteban for everything he has contributed since joining us in 2025. His professionalism and commitment have been invaluable as we continue to develop as an organisation. This year we faced a major regulation overhaul, and Esteban’s experience and feedback were crucial as we worked tirelessly on the VF‑26 throughout the campaign.
There is still plenty of racing ahead, and our focus remains on maximising every opportunity until the final race of the year.” With only eight rounds left in the 2026 calendar when the announcement was made, Ocon’s prospects for a seat in 2027 appear uncertain. The F1 grid has limited vacancies, and unless an unexpected opening emerges, the French driver may have to accept a reserve‑driver role for the next season. Nonetheless, Ocon remains confident that his Formula 1 career is far from over. He said, “My immediate focus is the next race weekend.
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 not been without setbacks before. He previously served as a reserve driver for Mercedes in 2019 after being released by Force India—a team that later evolved into Racing Point and eventually Aston Martin. He returned to the grid with Renault in 2020, staying with the organisation for five seasons as it rebranded to Alpine. During that period he secured his sole Grand Prix victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.
While at Haas, Ocon’s most notable result came early in his tenure, finishing fifth at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix—just his second race for the team. In the 2026 season his best finish was an eighth place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Looking ahead, Haas appears poised to field two Ferrari‑linked drivers for the 2027 season.
Oliver Bearman is expected to stay, and the team is reportedly in talks to bring in Rafael Camara, who is currently a Ferrari junior and leads the Formula 2 championship by seven points with two rounds remaining. Camara, also 21, would continue the pipeline of Ferrari talent supplying Haas with its power units. The broader Formula 1 calendar will see a return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled to take place at the Sepang International Circuit. Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available via NOW for those who prefer an online subscription without a long‑term contract.
In summary, Esteban Ocon’s departure marks the end of a brief but eventful chapter with Haas. While his future seat remains uncertain, his determination to remain in the sport, coupled with his experience and proven racecraft, suggest that opportunities—whether as a reserve driver or a full‑time race seat—could still arise. The next few races will be crucial for both Ocon and Haas as they aim to finish the season strongly, while the team prepares to integrate new talent for the upcoming year.