Ocon to leave Haas, F1 future in doubt

Esteban Ocon will leave Haas at the end of the year, the Formula 1 team announced on 30 September 2026, a decision that places the French driver's future in the sport in doubt.

Ocon has competed in F1 since 2016 and joined Haas in 2025; across a 10-year career he has taken one win and four podiums and previously drove for Manor and Force India, winning the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix for Alpine.

Reacting to the announcement on social media, Ocon said: "This is absolutely not the end of my Formula 1 career." He added: "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."

There are no obvious berths for Ocon on the grid in 2027, the report noted, while his team-mate Oliver Bearman has outperformed him since their pairing at Haas. Bearman sits 13th in the championship, three places and 13 points clear of Ocon, and has out-qualified him 13-6 at an average advantage of 0.144 seconds.

By contrast last year Bearman finished 13th and Ocon 15th, the two separated by three points in the standings; in qualifying last season the margin was 18-7 in Bearman's favour at 0.175secs.

Haas team principal Ayao Kumatso said: "Esteban's 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."

Ocon said his immediate focus remains the next race weekend and vowed to continue pushing for the team, writing: "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."