F1: Ocon to leave Haas after 2026 and wants to stay in F1

Esteban Ocon will not drive for Haas after 2026. The American team announced he will not return next season, and the Frenchman, 30, set out his intentions on 8 October 2026: to stay in Formula 1. RaceFans places Haas's announcement in the previous week. According to RaceFans and Crash.net, he rules out racing in another category in 2027.

What Esteban Ocon says

The driver believes he deserves his place in F1 and says he wants to race there for the next five to seven years. He will keep pushing for a 2027 seat, but would accept a reserve or third-driver role if no race seat is available. He says he is still in talks and will announce news as soon as he has it. There is no official announcement about his future at this stage; his situation will be one to follow over the coming weeks. Crash.net reports that he disagrees with Haas's decision.

A career that has already seen a comeback

Ocon made his F1 debut in 2016 and has raced every season since, except 2019. That year he lost his Racing Point seat to Lance Stroll and became a Mercedes test driver. He returned to F1 with Renault in 2020, then won the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with Alpine. Crash.net also points out that Oliver Bearman has outperformed him since they became Haas team-mates at the start of 2025.

What options for 2027?

RaceFans does not name a replacement. Crash.net lists several routes without confirming any:

• a reserve role at Haas, although bridges may have been burned;
• a reserve role at Mercedes, whose customer teams can call on its reserve drivers, with Fred Vesti currently the team's reserve;
• Racing Bulls, whose 2027 seats are unconfirmed;
• Audi and Cadillac, whose 2027 line-ups are set but where openings could appear for 2028.

Key points

• Ocon leaves Haas at the end of 2026.
• He wants to stay in F1 and rules out another category in 2027.
• He would accept a reserve-driver role if no race seat is available.
• Nothing has been announced about his future yet.