Haas will part with Esteban Ocon after 2026, citing a need for repeatable performance and stronger feedback. Ayao Komatsu said the decision went beyond raw pace and headline results, aligning with the team’s Ocon-Haas exit assessment.

Haas acknowledged Ocon’s peaks but wants a driver-car package that delivers consistently and clarifies development direction. He departs at the end of the current Formula 1 season with Haas.

Ocon says he intends to remain in F1 for 2027, but no agreement is secured, as outlined in his recent comments on his future, amid a crowded market.

Komatsu stressed the issue was variance, not speed. Ocon excelled when the setup window suited him; Haas’s inconsistency limited that window too often.

Under the cost cap and evolving rules, Haas values drivers who stabilise weekends, aid correlation, and manage imperfect balance without performance collapse.

The shortlist features Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, currently leading Formula 2, and reserve Jack Doohan, formerly of Alpine, per the team’s replacement search, now narrowing.

Oliver Bearman is expected to retain the other seat, giving continuity while Haas refreshes Ocon’s side of the garage.

Komatsu praised Ocon’s professionalism and racecraft, suggesting a more established, stable operation might unlock his strengths more consistently.

Haas now concentrates on reliability, operations, and a driver blend that raises baseline performance, aiming for a stronger 2027 platform.

Final driver decisions are expected in the coming months as the team aligns recruitment with its development plan and resource ramp 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.