Esteban Ocon will officially leave Haas at the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The long-anticipated news from the paddock has finally been confirmed, closing a turbulent two-year chapter for the Frenchman with the American squad.
Ocon joined Haas from Alpine for 2025, but a disappointing 18 months means the one-time grand prix winner will depart after just two seasons. Throughout 2025 and 2026, he partnered with Oliver Bearman, who was a rookie last year. In that span, Ocon scored 45 points to Bearman's 61—a gap that made this decision far from surprising.
Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu expressed his gratitude for Ocon's contributions. "I'd like to thank Esteban for everything he's contributed to the team since joining us in 2025," said Komatsu. "His professionalism and commitment have proved valuable as we continue to grow as an organisation. Together this year we tackled the challenge of a major regulation change, where Esteban's driving experience and inputs were significant as we've worked hard to develop the VF-26 across the season. There's still plenty of racing ahead and our focus remains on working together to maximise every opportunity through to the final race of the year."
Ocon has always maintained that his struggles stemmed from the Haas car's inconsistencies, an issue that plagued him more than Bearman, arguing it wasn't his driving at fault. Nevertheless, he still trails Bearman in qualifying with a losing 13-6 record in 2026. Recent races have shown improvement, including points in Baku last weekend, but consistency remains a work in progress.
As it stands, Ocon will leave with what should be 203 grand prix starts, one victory at Hungary in 2021, and four podiums, all scored with Alpine. In a social media statement, Ocon wrote: "My time with Haas F1 Team will come to an end at the end of the 2026 season. I leave this project with my head held high and proud of my performances in what were not always the easiest of circumstances for various reasons and factors outside of my control. My immediate focus is the next race weekend. I will continue to work hard with the team, maximise every opportunity, and keep extracting every bit of performance from the car. There are still many races to go this season and, as always, I will give it my everything behind the wheel for myself and for my team. I am still motivated. I am still hungry. This is absolutely not the end of my Formula 1 career."
His next step is unknown, as is his replacement, though reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and current F2 leader Rafael Camara are understood to be the candidates. Ocon currently sits 16th in the 2026 drivers' standings, three spots behind Bearman, with Haas seventh in the constructors' championship after 15 of 23 rounds. Speculation about Ocon's future is heating up, with reports that he has been talking to other teams.
Ocon's departure marks a new chapter for Haas as they rebuild under Komatsu's leadership. The team must quickly decide on their driver lineup for 2027, which will bring major regulation changes. Meanwhile, Ocon must prove that his experience and speed are still relevant on the F1 grid. Will he secure a seat elsewhere, or face a harsh reality? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: Ocon is not ready to hang up his helmet.
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