Esteban Ocon will leave Haas Formula 1 team at the end of 2026 season

Contract conclusion at Haas

French racing driver Esteban Ocon and TGR Haas F1 Team announced on 30 September 2026 that they will part ways at the conclusion of the 2026 Formula 1 championship. The 30-year-old driver from Evreux reaches the end of his two-year agreement with the American outfit, which he joined at the start of the 2025 season. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu acknowledged the departure by praising the French driver's professionalism and day-to-day commitment throughout their time working together.

I would like to thank Esteban for everything he has contributed to the team since joining in 2025.

Ocon published statements in both English and French across his social media channels to confirm the exit.

My collaboration with the Haas F1 Team will end at the conclusion of the 2026 season. I leave this project with my head held high, proud of my performances in circumstances that have not always been simple.

Difficult campaign and internal gaps

The split follows a complicated 2026 season for Ocon, who holds 16th place in the drivers' standings with seven points. In contrast, his British teammate Oliver Bearman occupies 13th place with 20 points. Throughout the year, Ocon repeatedly noted that his performance was hindered by factors outside his direct control and expressed concerns regarding car balance and parity within the garage. Across his 39 race starts with the Ferrari-powered team, Ocon secured a personal team best of fifth place at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix.

Career trajectory and paddock prospects

Ocon entered Formula 1 in 2016 with Manor before moving to Force India, later serving as a reserve driver for Mercedes. He spent five seasons with the Enstone squad under the Renault and Alpine banners, securing four podium finishes and a Grand Prix victory in Hungary in 2021. With 194 career Grand Prix starts, he remains the most recent French race winner in Formula 1. His market options for 2027 narrowed following Fernando Alonso's contract extension at Aston Martin, though paddock observers note his past working relationship with Marcin Budkowski amid Cadillac's preparations.

Focus on the remaining rounds

Following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, where Ocon finished in eighth place during round 15 of the 23-race calendar, the driver affirmed his commitment to finishing the remaining events with full effort. The championship schedule continues with upcoming races in Asia, including Singapore and the rescheduled Bahrain event at Malaysia's Sepang circuit. Ocon stated that he remains focused on extracting maximum performance from the car before his tenure concludes.

There are still many Grands Prix remaining this season and, as I have always done, I will give everything behind the wheel, for myself and for my team. I am as hungry as ever for success. This is absolutely not the end of my Formula 1 career.