Official: Haas and Ocon to part ways at the end of 2026

Esteban Ocon and Haas have officially brought an increasingly inevitable decision into the open, confirming that their partnership will end when the 2026 Formula 1 season draws to a close.

Ocon's departure had been looming for some time, with Haas evaluating several potential replacements through its private testing programme.

Ferrari junior Rafael Camara has emerged as the leading candidate to take the seat, although Haas has not formally announced its 2027 line-up.

For Ocon, meanwhile, the confirmation leaves his immediate F1 future uncertain – but the Frenchman was quick to make clear that he has no intention of treating the end of his Haas spell as the end of his career.

Ocon refuses to close the door

Ocon joined Haas for 2025 after five seasons with Renault and Alpine, signing a two-year agreement that was supposed to provide the experienced Frenchman with a fresh platform.

It never quite developed into the hoped-for partnership. Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu admitted last winter that he had “expected more” from Ocon in his first season, while rookie team-mate Ollie Bearman increasingly looked the more productive of the pair.

The 2026 campaign has done little to alter that picture, with Haas also hampered by inconsistent parts and occasions when it struggled to provide both drivers with an optimal car.

Ocon nevertheless leaves with a notable result to his name this season, having led Haas to its first double points finish of the year in Baku. He is currently 16th in the drivers' championship.

Announcing his departure, Ocon struck a defiant tone rather than sounding like a driver preparing to walk away.

"My time with Haas F1 Team will come to an end at the end of the 2026 season," Ocon wrote.

"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."

Haas turns the page

Haas has been quietly preparing for life without Ocon, putting a number of drivers through its Testing of Previous Cars programme. Camara has been among those evaluated, alongside McLaren reserve Leonardo Fornaroli, Toyota driver Ryo Hirakawa and former Alpine racer Jack Doohan.

Camara, currently leading the Formula 2 championship for Ferrari, is now widely expected to get the nod.

Komatsu paid tribute to Ocon's contribution while making clear that the team is already looking towards the next chapter.

"I’d like to thank Esteban for everything he’s contributed to the team since joining us in 2025,” said the Haas chief.

"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.”

• Read also: Villeneuve insists Ocon has ‘done his time’ in Formula 1

With no race seats currently available for 2027, although Racing Bulls has yet to confirm its line-up, Ocon will likely be looking for a reserve role for next season, with the longer-term objective of forcing his way back onto the grid.

It would not be unfamiliar territory. Ocon spent the 2019 season without a race seat after losing his Racing Point drive, only to return to the grid with Renault in 2020 after spending the intervening period as a Mercedes reserve.

This time, however, Ocon will have to find another route back. His message to the paddock is clear: Haas may be closing one chapter, but he insists he is nowhere near finished writing the story.

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