At the conclusion of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Esteban Ocon is set to formally depart Haas, though his successor has not yet been named.
The 30-year-old racer transitioned to the American outfit from Alpine ahead of the 2025 season, but an underwhelming year and a half ensures the single-time race victor will exit Haas after a mere two years.
Throughout 2025 and 2026, Ocon partnered with young driver Oliver Bearman—who debuted as a rookie last season—but having gathered only 45 points compared to the British driver’s 61, his departure comes as little surprise.
“I want to express my gratitude to Esteban for his efforts and input since he became part of the team in 2025,” remarked Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu. “His dedicated approach and professional attitude have been highly beneficial during this period of organizational growth.
“Over the course of this season, we navigated a massive shift in regulations together, a transition where Esteban’s experience behind the wheel and technical feedback played a crucial role in our continuous development of the VF-26.
“With numerous Grands Prix still remaining on the calendar, we are fully committed to collaborating closely to make the most of every single weekend until the season finale.”
Esteban Ocon competing for Haas F1 Team
Captured by: Alex Pantling / LAT Images via Getty Images
Ocon consistently maintained that his difficulties arose from the erratic handling of the Haas chassis—an obstacle that seemed to impact him far more severely than Bearman—insisting that his own performance was not the primary issue.
While things have looked up recently for the French racer, including a points finish at Baku last week, he remains overshadowed by Bearman in Saturday sessions, trailing his teammate 13 to 6 in qualifying over the 2026 season.
Consequently, Ocon is on track to conclude the season with an expected tally of 203 career starts, highlighted by a sole win at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix and a total of four podium finishes, all achieved during his tenure with Alpine.
Sharing his thoughts on social media, he wrote: “My journey with the Haas F1 Team is set to conclude when the 2026 championship wraps up.
“I depart from this chapter with pride and my head held high, confident in my displays despite navigating some highly challenging situations due to variables beyond my influence.
“Right now, my attention is entirely on the upcoming Grand Prix. I plan to put in maximum effort alongside the crew, capitalize on every scenario, and continue squeezing every ounce of speed from our package.
Esteban Ocon competing for Haas F1 Team
Captured by: Alex Pantling / LAT Images via Getty Images
“With plenty of rounds remaining this year, I will continue to push to the absolute limit in the cockpit, both for my own goals and for everyone in the garage.
“My drive is as strong as ever, and I remain incredibly hungry for success. This is by no means the final chapter of my journey in Formula 1.”
Where he will race next remains uncertain, as does his successor at Haas, though rumors suggest that defending Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and current F2 frontrunner Rafael Camara are the primary contenders for the seat.
At present, Ocon occupies 16th place in the 2026 drivers’ table, trailing Bearman by three positions, while Haas sits seventh in the teams’ standings with 15 of the 23 scheduled races completed.
