Esteban Ocon will leave the Haas Formula 1 team at the end of the current season after a two-year stint, clearing the way for 21-year-old Brazilian driver Rafael Câmara to take the seat in 2027. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu confirmed the departure following an evaluation of Ocon’s performance alongside rookie teammate Oliver Bearman.
Ocon, who joined Haas in 2025 with high expectations following a victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, has struggled to match the pace set by Bearman during the current campaign. While Ocon secured seven points across fifteen grands prix, Bearman amassed twenty points, highlighted by a seventh-place finish in Australia and a fifth place in China. Komatsu admitted open-handedly that the team expected stronger results from the experienced French driver.
Evaluating Driver Options and Testing Young Talent
Faced with underwhelming results from Ocon, Komatsu utilized Testing of Previous Cars sessions to assess several prospects before making a final lineup decision. The evaluation pool included Formula 2 champion Leo Fornaroli, Ferrari junior Rafael Câmara, and reserve drivers Ryo Hirakawa and Jack Doohan. Komatsu informed Ocon of the decision to drop him ahead of the race weekend in Baku.
Haas initially explored bringing in Fornaroli with backing from McLaren, but ongoing discussions with Ferrari shifted the team’s preference toward Câmara. The young Brazilian driver currently leads the Formula 2 championship after overtaking Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov in Baku, and tested for Haas in Portugal back in August. Ferrari’s technical partnership with Haas, combined with Câmara’s financial backing, made the rising star a logical choice for the cost-conscious American outfit.
Ocon’s Future on the Grid and Mercedes Links
Ocon insists his career in motorsport’s top tier is far from over despite the impending exit. “This is absolutely not the end of my career in the Formula 1,” Ocon wrote on social media, adding that he remains motivated and focused on upcoming race weekends. He has ruled out racing categories outside of Formula 1.
Finding a competitive seat for the upcoming season remains a challenge, as most grid slots are already locked in. Fernando Alonso’s contract extension with Aston Martin closed off one potential avenue, leaving a reserve role with Mercedes as a realistic fallback given Ocon’s historical ties to their development program. Ocon stated after finishing eighth in Baku that he has won in every single racing category he has contested, from go-karts up to Formula 1.
Esteban Ocon leaves Haas as Rafael Câmara prepares to join Oliver Bearman
Why is Esteban Ocon leaving Haas?
Team principal Ayao Komatsu decided not to renew Ocon’s contract after evaluating his performance against teammate Oliver Bearman during their two seasons together.
Who will replace Esteban Ocon at Haas?
Formula 2 championship leader and Ferrari junior Rafael Câmara is widely reported to take over the Haas seat alongside Oliver Bearman starting in 2027.
What are Esteban Ocon’s plans for his career?
Ocon has confirmed he intends to stay in Formula 1 and has ruled out competing in other racing series.
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