Ocon to leave Haas at the end of the season

French Formula One driver Esteban Ocon announced on Wednesday that his Formula One career will continue despite his departure from the Haas team at the end of the 2026 season. The 30-year-old joined the US-owned Haas team from Alpine in 2025 and currently sits 16th in the championship, just 13 points behind his British teammate Oliver Bearman. Haas, the smallest team on the grid, currently holds the seventh position among the 11 teams.

Ocon expressed his pride in his performances during his time with Haas, despite the challenging circumstances. He emphasized that there are still many races left in the 2026 season and that he will give his all behind the wheel for both himself and his team. Ocon reaffirmed his motivation and hunger to succeed, stating that his Formula One career is far from over.

Haas confirmed the driver's departure in a separate statement, expressing gratitude for Ocon's contribution to the team. The team has several candidates in mind to replace Ocon, with Brazilian Rafael Camara, backed by Ferrari, being one of the favorites. Haas uses Ferrari engines and has close technical ties with Toyota.

Ocon's chances of securing another race seat are not particularly promising, as top teams like Red Bull-owned Racing Bulls and newcomer Cadillac have not yet confirmed their 2027 lineups. However, both teams have other options, including retaining their existing drivers. The Frenchman, who won a race with Renault-owned Alpine in Hungary in 2021, could potentially take on the role of a test and reserve driver, a position he held for Mercedes in 2019 after losing his place at Force India (now Aston Martin).

The next race on the calendar is the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, taking place this weekend.