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, which arrived on Wednesday morning, puts an end to months of speculation surrounding the future of the 30‑year‑old Frenchman within the American squad.
Alongside confirming Ocon’s exit, Haas also made it clear that there is no immediate news regarding his successor. Despite circulating rumors that Ferrari’s junior prospect Rafael Camara from Brazil might be earmarked to partner Britain’s Oliver Bearman for the 2027 season, the team said it would not comment further until a formal decision is reached.
Ocon took to his personal social‑media channels 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 made the move to Haas from Alpine at the start of the 2025 season.
Since then, he has often found himself out‑paced by his younger teammate, 21‑year‑old Oliver Bearman, across both years they have shared a cockpit. The performance gap widened noticeably in 2026: Bearman finished the Drivers’ Championship in 13th place with 20 points, while Ocon ended the year 16th with just seven points.
In qualifying, Bearman enjoyed a 10‑to‑4 advantage over Ocon throughout the season. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu expressed his 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 when the news broke, Ocon’s prospects for a seat in 2027 look uncertain. The F1 grid offers few vacant spots, and the Frenchman may have to settle for a reserve‑driver role next year.
Nonetheless, he remains resolute about returning to a race seat soon. “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 career 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 evolved into Racing Point and ultimately Aston Martin.
He returned to full‑time competition with Renault in 2020, staying through the re‑branding to Alpine and securing his lone Grand Prix victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. During his brief stint with Haas, Ocon’s most notable result came early on, when he finished fifth at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix – his first points‑scoring finish for the team. In 2026 his best finish was an eighth place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a modest but respectable result given the car’s limitations. Looking ahead, Haas appears poised to field two Ferrari‑linked drivers in 2027.
Both Oliver Bearman and the rumored replacement for Ocon, Rafael Camara, are currently under contract with Ferrari, which supplies the team's power units. Camara, also 21, is leading the Formula 2 championship by seven points with just two rounds remaining, making him an attractive prospect for the Haas seat. 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 follow the action live on Sky Sports F1 or stream via NOW, with flexible subscription options.
In summary, Esteban Ocon’s departure marks the end of a two‑year chapter with Haas, a period defined by mixed results, a steep learning curve, and a clear hierarchy within the driver lineup. While his immediate future in the sport remains uncertain, his determination and experience suggest he will continue to seek opportunities, whether as a reserve driver or a full‑time competitor, to re‑establish himself on the Formula 1 grid.