Esteban Ocon will leave Haas at the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the American team yet to confirm his replacement.
The announcement ends months of speculation surrounding the 30-year-old’s future. Ocon joined Haas from Alpine ahead of the 2025 season but will depart after two years with the team.
Ocon has spent both seasons alongside Oliver Bearman, who made his full-time F1 debut in 2025. Across their time together, Ocon has scored 45 points compared with Bearman’s 61.
Haas Confirms Ocon Departure
Team principal Ayao Komatsu thanked Ocon for his contribution and highlighted the experience he brought during Formula 1’s major regulation change in 2026.
“I’d like to thank Esteban for everything he’s contributed to the team since joining us in 2025,” said Haas team boss Ayao 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 regularly argued his difficulties during 2026 have been linked to inconsistencies with the Haas rather than his own performance. Those problems are understood to have affected him more than Bearman.
His results have improved recently, with Ocon taking eighth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. It was his best finish of the season and helped Haas secure a double points result alongside Bearman in ninth.
Despite that improvement, Bearman holds a 13-6 advantage over Ocon in their 2026 qualifying head-to-head.
Ocon Says F1 Career Is Not Over
Ocon confirmed his departure on social media and insisted he remains determined to continue racing in Formula 1 beyond 2026.
“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.”
What Next for Ocon and Haas?
Ocon’s next move has yet to be confirmed. If he completes the remainder of the season, he is set to leave Haas with 203 Grand Prix starts to his name.
His F1 career includes victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix and four podium finishes, all achieved during his time with Alpine.
Haas has also yet to announce who will partner Bearman in 2027. Reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and current F2 championship leader Rafael Camara are understood to be among the candidates for the seat.
After 15 rounds of the 2026 season, Ocon sits 16th in the drivers’ championship, three positions behind Bearman. Haas occupies seventh in the constructors’ standings.
Ocon’s Haas chapter will therefore end after two seasons, but his message is clear. He intends to fight for another opportunity on the Formula 1 grid.
“I am still motivated. I am still hungry. This is absolutely not the end of my Formula 1 career.”
