French Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon has announced that he will be leaving the Haas F1 team at the end of the 2026 season. Ocon, 30, joined Haas from Alpine earlier this year and has been racing alongside British rookie Oliver Bearman. His departure was speculated in recent months due to his reported dissatisfaction with the team and concerns that his teammate was being treated more favourably.
Ocon made the announcement on social media platform X, stating that he will leave the team with his "head held high" and expressing pride in his performances despite challenging circumstances. He emphasized that his immediate focus remains on the upcoming racing weekend and that he will continue to work hard with the team to achieve the best results possible. Ocon currently sits 16th in the driver standings with seven points, three places behind Bearman.
During his time with Haas, Ocon has competed in 39 Grand Prix events, with his best finish being a fifth-place result in China last year. Prior to joining Haas, Ocon won the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2021 while driving for Alpine. The announcement comes ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which has been rescheduled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and will now take place in Malaysia on Sunday.
Ocon's decision to leave Haas has sparked speculation about his future in Formula 1. However, the French driver has indicated that he intends to remain in the sport, stating that this is "not the end of my Formula 1 career". Ocon's current contract with Haas was set to expire at the end of the 2026 season, and it is understood that he will explore other options for the 2027 season.
The reasons behind Ocon's departure from Haas are not entirely clear, but it is believed that he has been unhappy with the team's performance and the way he has been treated compared to his teammate. Ocon's complaints about his car and concerns about the team's favouritism towards Bearman have been well-documented in recent months.
Haas has not announced Ocon's replacement, but it is expected that the team will reveal their plans for the 2027 season in due course. Ocon's departure leaves a vacancy at Haas, and several drivers are likely to be in contention for the seat. The French driver's experience and skills will undoubtedly make him an attractive prospect for other teams.
Ocon's announcement has been met with a mixed reaction from the Formula 1 community, with some expressing surprise at his decision to leave Haas and others speculating about his future prospects. As the 2026 season draws to a close, Ocon will focus on achieving the best results possible with Haas before embarking on a new chapter in his career.
Key points
- Esteban Ocon will leave Haas F1 team at the end of the 2026 season.
- Ocon has expressed pride in his performances with Haas despite challenging circumstances.
- The French driver's future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, but he intends to remain in the sport.
