Haas F1 Team has confirmed Esteban Ocon will depart the squad at the conclusion of the current 2026 Formula 1 season. The decision not to extend Ocon’s contract beyond this year was announced prior to the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was held in Malaysia as a one-off event this season.
Team Principal Ayao Komatsu stated that the team’s criteria for driver selection extends beyond raw pace. He emphasised the need for a comprehensive ‘overall performance package’ from its drivers.
Komatsu acknowledged Ocon’s inherent speed, noting that the Frenchman is ‘very, very quick on his day’ when the car is optimally balanced and he feels comfortable. However, he indicated that this speed has not been consistently exploitable.
The team principal clarified that Haas requires a driver who can combine speed with ‘more consistency’ and provide ‘better technical feedback’ for future development. This is crucial for a team still building its infrastructure.
Haas, operating with fewer resources than top-tier teams, relies heavily on drivers who can extract maximum performance even when the car is not perfectly set up. Consistent and precise feedback is vital for the ongoing development of the VF-26 and future cars.
Ocon has experienced a challenging 2026 season, accumulating only three points compared to his teammate Oliver Bearman’s 18 points as of late September. He also finished behind Bearman in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship.
While Ocon has praised the VF-26’s reliability and top speed, he has also voiced frustrations regarding car inconsistencies and a perceived lack of upgrades on his car compared to Bearman’s in certain races, leading to tire overheating issues.
Despite these challenges, Ocon achieved a P8 finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix earlier this season, his best result at that point, where he also outpaced Bearman.
Sources indicate that Ferrari junior Rafael Camara is set to replace Ocon for the 2027 season, with an official announcement anticipated next week. Camara will bring Ferrari backing and significant Brazilian sponsorship.
Camara is currently leading the 2026 Formula 2 championship with 207 points, as of September 26, 2026. He has been praised for his technical understanding and ability to collaborate with engineers.
Haas reserve driver Jack Doohan was also a strong contender for the seat. Doohan, who serves as a reserve for Haas this season and is competing in the European Le Mans Series, participated in the team’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme.
Oliver Bearman is expected to retain his position with Haas for the 2027 season, having signed a multi-year contract with the team from 2025. Bearman has consistently performed strongly in his rookie F1 season.
Ocon, who will turn 30 in September, has stated his primary goal is to secure another full-time Formula 1 seat for 2027. However, options on the current F1 grid are limited.
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds has suggested the all-electric championship could be a viable option for Ocon, though a move for the 2027/28 season might be more practical due to scheduling conflicts with F1.
‘When we’re choosing a driver, it’s about the overall performance of our package, and then everything comes into it,’ Komatsu told Sky Sports F1. ‘Of course, natural talent — that’s something we cannot teach. As a driver, you are either quick or not quick. Esteban is very, very quick on his day. When the car is perfect, when he’s happy with the car, he’s very, very quick. But what we’re looking for going forward is we just want the speed plus more consistency, and then also the feedback as well.’
