Esteban Ocon will leave TGR Haas F1 Team at the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season, bringing his two-year spell with the American outfit to an end and raising fresh questions about his future in Formula 1.
Ocon joined Haas in 2025 after leaving Alpine, becoming part of the team’s next stage of development alongside Oliver Bearman. He has spent the past two seasons helping Haas push forward, including through the major technical changes introduced for the 2026 season.
However, Ocon’s future with the team had increasingly become uncertain as the 2026 campaign progressed.
Following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Ocon had scored seven points during the 2026 season. His eighth-place finish in Baku was his best result of the year, while Bearman finished ninth to give Haas a double-points finish.
The timing was particularly interesting because Ocon had already described himself as a “free agent” for the 2027 season before arriving in Azerbaijan. Discussions over his future were still ongoing at the time, while Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu had also indicated that the team’s 2027 driver line-up had yet to be decided.
That uncertainty has now been resolved.
Haas confirmed that Ocon and the team will go their separate ways once the 2026 championship comes to an end.
Komatsu praised Ocon’s contribution during his time with Haas, particularly his work in helping the team develop its car and navigate the major regulatory changes introduced for the 2026 season.
For Ocon, however, the end of his Haas career does not necessarily mean the end of his Formula 1 journey.
The Frenchman has made it clear that he wants to remain on the F1 grid beyond 2026 and intends to give everything he has during his remaining races with Haas.
He leaves the project with pride in what he and the team have achieved, despite what has been a challenging period at times.
Ocon will now have the remaining races of the 2026 season to make his final impression with Haas before turning his attention fully towards 2027.
The bigger question is where he goes next.
Haas has yet to officially announce Ocon’s replacement. Several names have already been linked with the vacant seat, including Ferrari-backed youngster Rafael Câmara, while Leonardo Fornaroli and Ryo Hirakawa have also been mentioned as potential candidates.
For now, however, nothing has been officially confirmed.
Ocon’s departure marks the end of another chapter in a Formula 1 career that has included stints with Manor, Force India, Renault, Alpine and Haas. The 30-year-old has made 195 Grand Prix starts and has one Formula 1 victory to his name, winning the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with Alpine.
His Haas chapter is coming to an end.
But with several races still remaining in 2026, Ocon has one final opportunity to remind the paddock why he still belongs on the Formula 1 grid.
Adhe is part of the 88 Eight Box Editorial Team, covering JDM culture, motorsport, automotive technology, and industry news. The team focuses on delivering original automotive stories, reviews, and insights for enthusiasts worldwide.
