Esteban Ocon will leave Haas at the end of 2026, closing a short, underwhelming chapter for the team’s first race-winning driver alongside rookie Oliver Bearman.

Over 18 months, Ocon scores 45 points, while Bearman, aged 21, delivers 61. That performance gap drives Haas’s decision and opens a second seat for 2027.

Haas now evaluates candidates to complement Bearman and accelerate development. Further context on Ocon’s departure has emerged in recent reporting, as attention turns to succession planning and driver-market leverage.

Rafael Camara stands out as favourite. The 21-year-old leads Formula 2, won F3 as a rookie, and has five poles in 2026. Ferrari academy ties suit Haas’s engine alignment.

Leonardo Fornaroli offers another high-ceiling option. The 21-year-old F2 champion served McLaren as 2026 test driver and impressed in Barcelona free practice, lapping within half a second of Oscar Piastri.

McLaren prefers retaining control but could loan him if Haas pushes. That path, flagged among Haas 2027 seat favourites, pairs raw speed with a manageable learning curve.

Ryo Hirakawa represents the pragmatic in-house choice. The 32-year-old reserve joined in 2025, with four Super Formula wins, a runner-up finish, and multiple WEC and Super GT titles.

Backing from Toyota, a Haas sponsor and technical partner, strengthens his case. Age and endurance focus are the trade-offs if promoted to a demanding full F1 programme.

Yuki Tsunoda remains a wildcard. After a four-year Faenza stint and a brief Red Bull promotion, he scored points on injury cover. Honda ties could complicate a Ferrari-supplied Haas move.

Liam Lawson is another consideration. He began 2025 at Red Bull, shifted to the sister team, and sits midfield. With Nikola Tsolov advancing, Haas may offer a clearer runway.

Haas must balance immediate points with longer-term upside. Fit alongside Bearman, engine-partner alignment, and commercial synergies will weigh heavily in a tightly contested decision.

The choice is likely before season’s end, amid active talks on an Ocon replacement. Fornaroli and Camara headline, with Hirakawa, Tsunoda, and Lawson offering contrasting risk profiles.

Speculation also continues around Ocon’s F1 future, which could influence how aggressively Haas pursues experience versus youth for 2027.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.