Esteban Ocon will leave Haas at the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season, bringing his two-year spell with the American team to a close and leaving his future on the F1 grid uncertain.
The French driver confirmed the decision on Wednesday, September 30, ending weeks of speculation about whether Haas would retain him for the 2027 campaign.
Ocon joined Haas from Alpine ahead of the 2025 season on a multi-year agreement, but the partnership has not produced the results either side would have hoped for. Haas subsequently confirmed that it and Ocon would “part ways” at the conclusion of the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship.
The 30-year-old says, however, that his departure from Haas should not be interpreted as the end of his Formula 1 career.
“I am still motivated. I am still hungry. This is absolutely not the end of my Formula 1 career.”
Ocon said he remains focused on finishing the current season strongly and making the most of the remaining races with Haas.
Ocon’s Haas chapter comes to an end
Ocon arrived at Haas as an experienced Grand Prix winner and one of the most established drivers in the midfield.
He brought with him a decade of F1 experience and a victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, where he delivered Alpine one of the most memorable wins in the team’s recent history.
His move to Haas was seen as an opportunity for both driver and team. For Ocon, it represented a chance to establish himself with a team that was undergoing significant development. For Haas, signing a race winner brought experience to a squad that had historically operated with more limited resources.
The partnership lasted two seasons.
During 2026, however, Ocon has generally been behind teammate Oliver Bearman in the championship and qualifying battle. Motorsport.com reports that Ocon has scored 45 points compared with Bearman’s 61, while his qualifying record against his teammate stands at 6-13.
Ocon is currently 16th in the 2026 drivers’ championship, while Haas sits seventh in the constructors’ standings after 15 of 23 rounds.
Haas had been weighing its options
The announcement comes only days after Ocon publicly described himself as a “free agent” for 2027.
Ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Ocon acknowledged that discussions about his future were continuing but indicated that he was also exploring possibilities elsewhere.
“I’ve got a lot more to give to this sport,” Ocon said at the time, adding that his focus remained on Formula 1 rather than looking for opportunities outside the championship.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu had also confirmed that the team was evaluating several candidates for its 2027 line-up.
Among those assessed were Rafael CΓ’mara, Leonardo Fornaroli, Ryo Hirakawa and Haas reserve driver Jack Doohan. Komatsu said the candidates had been evaluated through private testing in older Haas machinery before the team made its final decision.
Haas has not yet officially announced Ocon’s replacement.
CΓ’mara among the names linked to the seat
One of the leading names being reported in connection with the vacant Haas seat is Brazilian driver Rafael CΓ’mara, who is backed by Ferrari.
CΓ’mara is competing in Formula 2 and has been part of Ferrari’s young-driver programme. His potential promotion would fit with Haas’ technical relationship with Ferrari, although the team has not confirmed that he will take Ocon’s place.
Other candidates include Fornaroli, Hirakawa and Doohan, all of whom have been evaluated by Haas.
For now, the team’s priority is to complete the 2026 season before finalising its future line-up.
Ocon’s record in Formula 1
Ocon made his Formula 1 debut with Manor in 2016 before moving through Force India, Renault and Alpine.
He became a full-time Renault driver in 2020, with the team subsequently becoming Alpine. His breakthrough came in Hungary in 2021, when he took his first and so far only Grand Prix victory.
He has also collected three further podium finishes, all during his time with the Renault/Alpine organisation.
His career has also included periods away from a full-time race seat. In 2019, Ocon served as Mercedes’ reserve driver after losing his Force India seat, before returning to the F1 grid with Renault the following year.
That experience could become relevant again if he cannot secure a race seat for 2027.
What happens next for Ocon?
The biggest unanswered question is where Ocon will race in 2027.
Several teams still have elements of their future line-ups to resolve, but available seats are limited.
Reuters reports that Racing Bulls and Cadillac are among the teams whose 2027 driver plans have not been completely settled. Both teams, however, have other options under consideration.
Ocon could also potentially return to a test or reserve role if a full-time race seat does not materialise immediately.
For the Frenchman, though, the message is clear: he intends to remain part of Formula 1.
His statement that his career is “absolutely not” over suggests that the end of his Haas partnership is being viewed as a change of direction rather than retirement.
Haas thanks Ocon for his contribution
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu paid tribute to Ocon after the departure was confirmed.
Komatsu thanked the Frenchman for his contribution since joining the team in 2025 and highlighted his professionalism and commitment.
He also acknowledged Ocon’s experience during a period of major technical change in Formula 1.
The 2026 season introduced significant regulation changes, making driver feedback particularly important as teams adapted their cars. Komatsu said Ocon’s experience and input had been valuable as Haas worked to develop its VF-26.
The team will now concentrate on maximising the remaining races of the season before turning fully towards its 2027 driver line-up.
A final season still to finish
Although Ocon’s departure has now been confirmed, there are still races remaining in the 2026 championship.
That gives the Frenchman an opportunity to finish his Haas chapter on the track rather than simply becoming part of the driver-market conversation.
He scored points in Baku last weekend, showing that the Haas package can still produce results when circumstances come together.
Ocon’s immediate challenge will be to build on that result and demonstrate the pace and consistency that have defined some of the strongest periods of his career.
His Haas departure may close one chapter, but his own comments make clear that he intends to fight for another one.
What the Haas decision means
The decision leaves Haas with a vacant seat alongside Bearman, assuming the team retains the young Briton for 2027.
It also adds another piece to an increasingly active F1 driver market.
For Ocon, the next few months could determine whether he remains a full-time Formula 1 driver or takes a temporary step into a reserve and development role.
For Haas, the choice of replacement could shape the team’s direction as it continues to develop its technical relationship with Ferrari and Toyota.
For now, however, both sides have a full season still to complete.
Ocon will remain a Haas driver until the end of the 2026 campaign, after which one of Formula 1’s most experienced midfield racers will begin the search for his next opportunity.
Esteban Ocon at a glance
- Age: 30
- Nationality: French
- F1 debut: 2016
- Current team: Haas
- Joined Haas: 2025
- Grand Prix wins: 1
- Podiums: 4
- 2021 win: Hungarian Grand Prix
- 2026 championship position: 16th
- Haas departure: End of 2026 season
- 2027 team: Yet to be confirmed
