Sports30 September, 20262 min read
Esteban Ocon Confirms Haas Exit At End Of 2026 Season, F1 Future In Doubt
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Esteban Ocon will leave Haas at the end of the 2026 season after two years. His F1 future remains in doubt with no clear 2027 seat yet.
Ocon exits Haas
Esteban Ocon confirmed that he will exit Haas at the end of the 2026 season, leaving his Formula 1 future in doubt for 2027. Ocon insisted, "This is absolutely not the end of my Formula 1 career," as he focused on the next race weekend. Haas said, "TGR Haas F1 Team and Esteban Ocon will part ways at the conclusion of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship," after the team announced the split.
“This is absolutely not the end of my Formula 1 career.”
Ayao Komatsu thanked Ocon for his contributions since joining in 2025, saying the pair worked together to develop the VF-26 through a major regulation change. Ocon also said, "My time with Haas F1 Team will come to an end at the end of the 2026 season," as he framed his departure as a continuation of his career rather than a finish.
Grid uncertainty grows
There were no obvious berths for Ocon on the grid in 2027, while Ocon argued in his statement that his career was not over. Oliver Bearman was ahead of Ocon in the championship, with Bearman 13th and three places and 13 points ahead of Ocon. Ayao Kumatso said, "Esteban's professionalism and commitment have proved valuable as we continue to grow as an organisation," linking the decision to the team’s development work.
The timing of the announcement left Ocon highly likely to be without an F1 seat next year, with the Frenchman potentially facing a reserve role in 2027. Ocon added, "My immediate focus is the next race weekend," as he continued to emphasize maximizing every opportunity behind the wheel.
Replacement and next steps
Haas confirmed Ocon’s departure while keeping replacement timing unclear, and PlanetF1 said there was no confirmation of Ocon’s replacement despite Haas officially confirming it would part ways with him at the end of the season.
It was understood that Haas had already decided that Ferrari junior Camara would replace Ocon, as Oliver Bearman became the teammate.
Rafael Camara was set to replace Ocon, and Haas testing drivers were part of its "Testing of Previous Cars" programme.
Ocon wrote, "I am still motivated. I am still hungry. This is absolutely not the end of my Formula 1 career," as he prepared for the remaining rounds after the Haas exit announcement.
The New York Times said Ocon was 16th out of 23 in the 2026 drivers’ standings, and it described his next step as most likely joining another team as a reserve driver in 2027.