Esteban Ocon has confirmed that his tenure with the Haas Formula One team will conclude at the end of the 2026 season, a statement jointly issued by the driver and the outfit on Wednesday morning. The announcement puts an end to months of speculation surrounding the future of the 30‑year‑old Frenchman, who has been a regular feature in the team’s lineup since joining from Alpine for the 2025 season. In the same communiqué, Haas made it clear that there will be no immediate information regarding Ocon's successor.
Although rumours have circulated that Brazilian Ferrari junior Rafael Camara could be slated to partner Britain’s rising star Oliver Bearman next year, the team has not confirmed any such move at this stage. Ocon took to his personal social‑media channels to acknowledge the decision, 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." During his two‑year stint with Haas, Ocon has often found himself out‑paced by his younger teammate, 21‑year‑old Oliver Bearman.
The performance gap widened noticeably in 2026, with Bearman finishing 13th in the Drivers' Championship on 20 points, while Ocon slipped to 16th with just seven points. In qualifying sessions throughout the season, Bearman enjoyed a 10‑to‑4 advantage over Ocon, underscoring the disparity in pace between the two drivers. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu praised Ocon’s contributions, 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 announcement suggests that Ocon is likely to be without a race seat for the 2027 season.
The F1 driver market is notoriously tight, and with few clear openings on the grid, the Frenchman may have to consider a reserve‑driver role or explore opportunities in other series. Nevertheless, Ocon remains resolute about his future in the sport, insisting that his departure from Haas does not signal the end of his Formula 1 career. He added: "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 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 subsequently Aston Martin. He returned to full‑time competition in 2020 with Renault, remaining with the organisation through its rebranding to Alpine.
During his five‑year spell with the French outfit, Ocon secured his sole Grand Prix victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, a highlight that remains a defining moment of his career. His most notable result with Haas came early in his tenure, when he finished fifth at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, his second race for the team.
In the 2026 season, his best finish was an eighth‑place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, demonstrating that he could still deliver solid points finishes when the car’s performance allowed. Looking ahead, Haas appears poised to field two Ferrari‑linked drivers in 2027.
Oliver Bearman is expected to remain, while Rafael Camara, currently leading the Formula 2 championship by seven points with two rounds remaining, is being positioned as Ocon’s likely replacement. Camara’s affiliation with Ferrari, which supplies Haas with power units, makes the partnership a logical step for the American team. Beyond the driver shuffle, the 2026 Formula 1 calendar will see the sport return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled at the Sepang International Circuit.
Fans can follow the action live via Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through NOW, offering a flexible, contract‑free viewing experience. In summary, Esteban Ocon’s departure marks the end of a brief but eventful chapter at Haas. While his future seat remains uncertain, his determination and experience suggest he will continue to pursue opportunities within the sport, whether as a main driver, a reserve, or perhaps a role in driver development. The next few months will be crucial for Ocon as he aims to finish the 2026 season strongly and keep his name in the conversation for a return to the grid in 2027 or beyond.