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Haas has confirmed that Esteban Ocon will leave the team at the end of the 2026 season<\/strong>, opening one of the remaining opportunities on the 2027 Formula 1<\/a> grid. Rafael C\u00e2mara is the reported favourite to replace him, although the team has not confirmed its next signing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n C\u00e2mara\u2019s candidacy has gained momentum through Haas\u2019 evaluation programme. The Ferrari junior is among the drivers tested by the team, alongside Leonardo Fornaroli, Jack Doohan and Ry\u014d Hirakawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fornaroli has been told is not in consideration by the team<\/strong>, GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> has learned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Team principal Ayao Komatsu acknowledged Ocon\u2019s work during his two seasons with the organisation, including the development of the VF-26 under the new technical regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019d like to thank Esteban for everything he\u2019s contributed to the team since joining us in 2025,\u201d Komatsu said in the team\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Komatsu also credited Ocon\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ocon has made 39 starts for Haas<\/strong>, taking his career total to 195. The team noted that he helped it achieve its second-highest seasonal points total in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n C\u00e2mara as the frontrunner before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, the confirmation of Ocon\u2019s departure is not an announcement of C\u00e2mara\u2019s promotion<\/strong>: Haas has yet to name the driver who will take the seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n C\u00e2mara also brings the credentials of the 2025 Formula 3 champion and a leading contender in this season\u2019s Formula 2<\/a> championship. His Ferrari backing makes him a relevant candidate for the Ferrari-powered team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The evaluation extends beyond C\u00e2mara. Doohan and Toyota-backed Hirakawa have also been considered, with private running giving Haas evidence to compare their performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Komatsu explained in Baku that the next stage involved reviewing the findings internally and discussing the decision with team owner Gene Haas. Ocon\u2019s departure settles one part of that process; the identity of his successor remains unconfirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The announcement follows Ocon\u2019s admission in Baku that his future was open. Before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he confirmed that he was discussing opportunities with other teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt the moment I\u2019m definitely a free agent for next year,\u201d Ocon said during the event\u2019s media day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He explained that some aspects of the negotiations were outside his control, while maintaining that his immediate responsibility was to deliver results for Haas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo. Everything that we\u2019re looking at is in F1,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019 reserve in 2019 before returning with Renault in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His sole grand prix victory came with Alpine at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. Haas\u2019 decision now requires him to find another route to continue racing in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ocon\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHaas thanks Ocon for his contribution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
C\u00e2mara leads the reported race for the vacant seat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ocon had already begun looking elsewhere<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Another decision reshapes the 2027 driver market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n