Esteban Ocon is set to leave the Haas Formula 1® Team at the conclusion of the 2026 season. After joining Haas in 2025 from Alpine, the French driver will end his two-year stint with the American outfit amid a challenging period marked by car inconsistency and strong competition within the team.
Ocon’s departure was confirmed during the 2026 campaign, with Haas yet to announce his replacement. Since arriving at Haas, Ocon has faced difficulties adapting to the VF-26 car, which he has described as inconsistent rather than attributing struggles to his own driving. His teammate, Oliver Bearman, a younger driver who started as a rookie in 2025, has outscored Ocon in the current season, accumulating 61 points compared to Ocon’s 45. Bearman also holds the upper hand in qualifying head-to-heads this year, leading 13 to 6.
Before moving to Haas, Ocon achieved his sole Formula 1® victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix and secured four podium finishes, all during his time with Alpine. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu expressed gratitude for Ocon’s professionalism and contributions, particularly highlighting his role in the development of the VF-26 amid significant regulation changes.
Ocon himself took to social media to reflect on his time at Haas, stating he remains proud of his performances despite the difficult circumstances. He also affirmed his motivation to continue competing in Formula 1®. Currently, Ocon sits 16th in the drivers’ standings, while Haas holds seventh place in the constructors’ championship after 15 of 23 rounds.
Regarding Ocon’s replacement, Haas has not made an official announcement. However, speculation points to promising Formula 2 drivers Leonardo Fornaroli, the reigning F2 champion, and Rafael Camara, who leads the F2 standings, as potential candidates to step into the seat for 2027.
Ocon’s time at Haas has been marked by the challenges of adapting to a car undergoing development during a period of regulatory upheaval. His teammate Bearman’s strong performance this season has underscored the competitive environment within the team. Komatsu’s acknowledgment of Ocon’s professionalism highlights the value placed on his experience and input during this transitional phase for Haas.
As the 2026 season progresses, Ocon’s departure marks a significant change for Haas, which continues to seek progress in the highly competitive Formula 1® field. The team’s decision to consider rising talents from Formula 2 reflects its ongoing strategy to build for the future while navigating the complexities of the current regulations and car development.