Esteban Ocon called himself a free agent this week in Baku. Esteban Ocon has confirmed he is leaving Haas at the end of 2026. He announced it himself on Instagram ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Haas has not named a replacement, though Ferrari junior Rafael Camara remains the reported frontrunner. Komatsu thanked Ocon for his ‘professionalism and commitment’ and said the team won’t share further driver news ‘at this time.
A CAREER THAT PROMISED MORE
Ocon’s rise once looked genuinely promising. He delivered Alpine’s shock win at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, holding off Sebastian Vettel after chaos on the opening lap. The following year he beat Fernando Alonso in the standings. He became the first teammate to manage that feat since Jenson Button in 2015.
A Monaco podium followed in 2023, then a wet-weather P2 in São Paulo a year later. Even 2025 carried promise, with Ocon banking 38 points for Haas and a season-best fifth in China. None of that form has carried into this year.
THE 2026 REALITY CHECK
This season has been far more disappointing. Ocon has scored seven points this season, against Bearman’s 20, but it does not tell the whole story.
Esteban Ocon F1 Career Stats
| 🏁 Grands Prix Entered | 194 |
| 📊 Career Points | 486 |
| 🏆 Wins | 1 |
| 🥂 Podiums | 4 |
| 🎯 Pole Positions | 0 |
| ⚡ Fastest Laps | 1 |
| 🥇 Highest Race Finish | 1st ×1 |
| 📈 Highest Grid Position | 3rd ×3 |
| 👑 World Championships | 0 |
| 🚫 DNFs | 28 |
| 🏎️ Current Team | Haas |
| 📅 2026 Position (So Far) | 16th (7 pts) |
Ocon has repeatedly pointed to inconsistent VF-26 performance as a major factor. Sources close to the team have also indicated that car inconsistency has affected Ocon more heavily at certain races.
That does not erase the points gap, but it gives Haas a more complicated decision. The question is whether Ocon’s recent improvement is enough to outweigh Bearman’s stronger points return and the opportunity to promote a Ferrari junior.
After finishing eighth in Baku, Ocon defended his place on the grid. He said he has raced against everyone and has always been on par, and that he has won in every championship he has entered, from Formula Renault to Formula 3 and GP3, as well as in Formula 1. ‘I can do it,’ he said. ‘I’m one of the best out there, and I’m not afraid to say it.
WHY HAAS MOVED ON
The performance argument is more complicated than the points table suggests. Ocon has acknowledged the three-point deficit, but believes he has delivered when the car has worked properly.
Behind the scenes, Haas has been testing potential replacements through its TPC programme. Ferrari junior Rafael Camara has emerged as the clear frontrunner. He’s ahead of Toyota-backed Ryo Hirakawa and reigning F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli.
Money plays a part too. Haas operates as F1’s only team still working strictly within the cost cap. A Ferrari-backed rookie on a junior deal costs far less than retaining Ocon. Pairing Camara with Bearman would also put two Ferrari academy drivers in the same garage. That’s a look Gene Haas has previously wanted to avoid.
WHAT COMES NEXT FOR OCON
Cadillac is another name that has been mentioned in connection with Ocon. However, that route currently looks difficult. Both Cadillac drivers, Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, are signed through 2027 on multi-year deals, and Pérez has publicly shut down exit rumours himself, saying ‘obviously I want this’ about staying.
For now, there is no clear indication that Cadillac is preparing to replace Bottas, making it a speculative option rather than a confirmed opening. He has repeatedly said his contract runs through 2027.
New Cadillac team principal Marcin Budkowski who replaced Lowdon in that role — has echoed the same message, backing both drivers to stay through 2027. That makes Cadillac a far shakier option for Ocon’s F1 future than the headlines suggest.
If no race seat becomes available, a reserve role could keep Ocon inside Formula 1 while he waits for another opportunity. Ocon has also confirmed that he is speaking to other teams about his 2027 options.
Reports suggest Toyota’s WEC programme is also an option. Rumors say he could leave Formula 1 and join Toyota in 2027. Nothing is confirmed, and his words in Baku sound like a driver who wants to stay. For the wider picture, read our F1 2027 driver lineup guide
OUR VERDICT
That leaves Ocon with a shrinking list of options. Aston Martin confirmed Alonso and Stroll on September 29, closing that door. Racing Bulls remains the one seat still technically open, though Lawson is favored to keep it. Cadillac is a longer shot Bottas says he’s contracted through 2027, though reports remain split on how firm that is. Failing a race seat, a reserve role or a move to Toyota’s WEC programme are the fallback paths Ocon himself hasn’t ruled out.
That leaves Ocon waiting for another opportunity to appear. Right now, there is no clear information linking him to another team, while most of the 2027 grid is already taking shape. Aston Martin have kept Alonso and Stroll, so that door is now closed. Racing Bulls is another potential opening, although Lawson’s current form could make that difficult.
For now, Ocon appears to be in a holding pattern. He still has a path to the 2027 grid, but the options are shrinking, and a move to Toyota’s WEC programme is now a real possibility.
