Sportsupdated 1h ago2 min read
Archive photo · 4 April 2024Haas Drops Esteban Ocon For Rest Of 2026 Season After Mexico City Dispute
“The decision to stand him down came after he had a dispute with race engineer Laura Mueller about tyre choice”
“There had been some frustration from Ocon over the radio during Mexico FP2, which lingered after the session.”
Photo: Rrtb505050, CC0 · Cropped for layout
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Haas permanently drops Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the 2026 season. Rafael Câmara to debut for Haas at Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Save coverage image
Ocon axed in Mexico
Haas permanently dropped Esteban Ocon for the rest of the 2026 Formula 1 season after a dispute that followed Friday practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu told reporters, "We have now notified Esteban Ocon that he will not return to a race seat with Haas this season," and Haas said Ocon would "no longer compete on its behalf in the 2026 world championship".
Ryo Hirakawa replaced Ocon from Saturday onwards for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix race weekend, and Haas confirmed it would choose Rafael Camara for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Ollie Bearman described the situation as "a really tough situation" when he was asked about the drama around the Haas garage after Ocon was stood down.
Camara debuts in Brazil
Haas moved Rafael Camara's Formula 1 debut forward for this weekend's Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with the Ferrari protégé set to drive alongside Ollie Bearman. Haas said it had chosen Camara after he excelled in his TPC [Testing of Previous Cars] outing in August, and Haas added, "We’ve chosen Rafael Câmara to drive alongside Ollie Bearman at the São Paulo Grand Prix."
Sky Sports said Formula 2 championship leader Rafael Camara would partner Ollie Bearman at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, and it said Ocon would not race for Haas again this season. The Race said Haas dropped Ocon for the rest of 2026 and replaced him with Rafa Camara for this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix, while it described the Mexico weekend as ending with a confrontation after Friday practice.
F1 future and fallout
Ocon's exit left his 2027 prospects uncertain, and the BBC said he looks set to be out of a race seat for 2027 as the only teams with potential vacancies are said not to be interested in him. Ocon denied any physical violence in a statement after the dispute, and The New York Times quoted him saying, "I categorically reject any reports or allegations suggesting that any form of physical violence was used to resolve any differences of any nature."
Ferrari and Fred Vasseur told journalist Julianne Cerasoli that there had been no contact from Haas about Camara driving in Sao Paulo or the following stages, and Cerasoli said Vasseur answered, "I support Rafa, I don’t get involved in any decision made by Haas". Haas also said it had not confirmed who would drive in the final three scheduled races in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, while it said the issue between Haas and Ocon remained an "internal matter".