Haas has confirmed that Esteban Ocon will leave the team at the end of the 2026 season, opening one of the remaining opportunities on the 2027 Formula 1 grid. Rafael Câmara is the reported favourite to replace him, although the team has not confirmed its next signing.

The announcement on Wednesday, 30 September, ends uncertainty over whether Haas would retain the Frenchman. Ocon joined in 2025 alongside Oliver Bearman and will complete the current campaign before departing.

Câmara’s candidacy has gained momentum through Haas’ evaluation programme. The Ferrari junior is among the drivers tested by the team, alongside Leonardo Fornaroli, Jack Doohan and Ryō Hirakawa.

Fornaroli has been told is not in consideration by the team, GRANDE PRÊMIO has learned.

Haas thanks Ocon for his contribution

Team principal Ayao Komatsu acknowledged Ocon’s work during his two seasons with the organisation, including the development of the VF-26 under the new technical regulations.

“I’d like to thank Esteban for everything he’s contributed to the team since joining us in 2025,” Komatsu said in the team’s announcement.

Komatsu also credited Ocon’s experience and technical feedback, explaining that Haas would continue working with him to extract the best possible results through the final race of the season.

Ocon has made 39 starts for Haas, taking his career total to 195. The team noted that he helped it achieve its second-highest seasonal points total in 2025.

The confirmation follows an encouraging result in Azerbaijan. Ocon finished eighth in Baku, ahead of ninth-placed Bearman, as both Haas cars returned to the points.

Câmara leads the reported race for the vacant seat

Câmara as the frontrunner before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, the confirmation of Ocon’s departure is not an announcement of Câmara’s promotion: Haas has yet to name the driver who will take the seat.

The Brazilian has been building experience through private testing with Ferrari and Haas. He recently discussed those preparations and his readiness to make the step up in his assessment of the Ferrari and Haas tests.

Câmara also brings the credentials of the 2025 Formula 3 champion and a leading contender in this season’s Formula 2 championship. His Ferrari backing makes him a relevant candidate for the Ferrari-powered team.

The evaluation extends beyond Câmara. Doohan and Toyota-backed Hirakawa have also been considered, with private running giving Haas evidence to compare their performances.

Komatsu explained in Baku that the next stage involved reviewing the findings internally and discussing the decision with team owner Gene Haas. Ocon’s departure settles one part of that process; the identity of his successor remains unconfirmed.

Ocon had already begun looking elsewhere

The announcement follows Ocon’s admission in Baku that his future was open. Before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he confirmed that he was discussing opportunities with other teams.

“At the moment I’m definitely a free agent for next year,” Ocon said during the event’s media day.

He explained that some aspects of the negotiations were outside his control, while maintaining that his immediate responsibility was to deliver results for Haas.

Ocon also made clear that his priority remained a place on the grid. Asked whether he was considering a career outside the championship, he gave a direct response.

“No. Everything that we’re looking at is in F1,” he said.

The 30-year-old has previously spent a season without a race seat. After leaving Racing Point at the end of 2018, he worked as Mercedes’ reserve in 2019 before returning with Renault in 2020.

His sole grand prix victory came with Alpine at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. Haas’ decision now requires him to find another route to continue racing in 2027.

Another decision reshapes the 2027 driver market

Ocon’s departure comes a day after Aston Martin confirmed the continuation of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Those announcements further define a market in which the remaining opportunities are narrowing.

The latest provisional grid following Alonso and Stroll’s contract extensions now requires another update: Ocon will not occupy a Haas seat next season.

For the remaining rounds of 2026, Haas will continue with Ocon and Bearman. Its next race is the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at Sepang, from 2–4 October.

F1 today: FAQ

Who was fastest in Bahrain GP practice at Sepang?

Max Verstappen topped FP1 with a 1:37.520, beating George Russell by 0.383 seconds. Isack Hadjar finished third, ahead of Charles Leclerc and championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

What time does F1 FP2 start in Malaysia?

FP2 starts on Friday, 2 October, at 16:00 in Malaysia. That is 09:00 BST in the UK, 04:00 EDT in New York and Toronto, 01:00 PDT in Los Angeles and Vancouver, 13:30 IST in India and 18:00 AEST in Sydney and Melbourne.

Why is the Bahrain Grand Prix being held in Malaysia?

The original race at Sakhir was cancelled because of the conflict in the Middle East. Sepang is hosting the replacement event while retaining the Bahrain Grand Prix name, bringing Formula 1 back to the Malaysian circuit for the first time since 2017.

Is Esteban Ocon leaving Haas?

Yes. Haas confirmed on 30 September that Ocon will leave at the end of the 2026 season.