Dropped Esteban Ocon defiant: Formula 1 is “where I belong”

Haas Formula 1 team has announced that Esteban Ocon will be leaving the team at the end of the 2026 season. However, the driver himself is determined to remain in Formula 1. Speaking in Malaysia, Ocon stated, "My focus is on Formula 1. That is clear, that's where I belong, that's where I want to be. So I'm not going to look elsewhere."

The 2026 season has been a mixed bag for Ocon and Haas. The driver has had two up-and-down seasons, moving from Alpine to Haas after a five-year stint with the latter. At Haas, Ocon has struggled with a car that has been inconsistent and has had numerous issues. His teammate, Oliver Bearman, has generally performed better with the same machinery.

Haas is one of the least well-funded teams on the grid, which has often held them back in terms of performance updates. Last year, they faced an unfortunate start when their car suffered unexpected aerodynamic oscillations at high speeds. This, coupled with instability under braking, led to Ocon feeling like a rookie who had never driven an F1 car. However, Ocon persevered, qualifying eighth and eventually finishing seventh in the race.

Despite the team's struggles, Ocon remains optimistic and continues to work hard on track. He believes that their performance in the last races demonstrates his worth in Formula 1. Ocon acknowledges that his directness can sometimes be perceived as undiplomatic or combative, but he insists that these traits were the reasons he was hired.

The team is considering Rafael Camara as a potential replacement, who is a member of Ferrari's young-driver programme. However, Ocon remains focused on his current role and is open to considering other opportunities, including a test driver role at Aston Martin. He emphasizes that he will make a decision based on his performance and the team's progress, stating, "Everything can happen in Formula 1. And I want to be on the grid next year, for sure."