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Haas have officially confirmed what had long been rumoured in the paddock: Esteban Ocon will leave the team at the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Despite the impending split, the Frenchman remains adamant that his future lies in F1 and has no plans to explore options in other motorsport categories.
"My focus is entirely on Formula 1. It is very clear—this is where I belong and where I want to be, so I won't be looking at other options," Ocon said ahead of the race weekend in Malaysia. "However, in Formula 1, things can change in a split second. I'm still working hard to secure my seat for next year. Right now, the most important thing is to deliver on track. We've shown good pace in recent races, and for me, that's the best way to prove what I can do. Of course, we need a competitive car, which we've lacked in several races, including last season. When we have the pace, the results follow—as we saw in Baku and Madrid."
Ocon's tenure at Haas has been a rollercoaster, following a five-season spell with Alpine. During his time with the French outfit, he secured victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, but eventually lost the backing of the new management team led by Flavio Briatore. At Haas, the Frenchman frequently struggled to get on top of the temperamental VF-25 and VF-26 machinery, whereas teammate Oliver Bearman managed to extract the maximum from the car more consistently without openly lamenting its flaws.
Operating on a tighter budget as an independent team, Haas have often lagged behind in in-season development. Chronic issues with braking balance and aerodynamic instability following setup changes drew several sharp critiques from Ocon. Although his candid feedback was occasionally viewed as confrontational by the engineering staff, Ocon maintains that his comments were entirely professional.
"I'm just doing my job and trying to push the car to the level it needs to be at. Ultimately, that helps the entire team because we see the rewards of hard work and addressing our weaknesses head-on," the driver insisted.
Ferrari Driver Academy prospect Rafael Camara is the frontrunner to claim the vacant Haas seat. Meanwhile, Ocon faces limited options for a full-time drive, with Cadillac among the few potential destinations, as contracts for Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas for next season remain unfinalised. Another viable route could be a reserve role at Aston Martin, offering a pathway back into a race seat once former teammate Fernando Alonso decides to call time on his racing career.
"I will continue working with the team and performing at my best, and I will assess my options later in the year."
"As I've said, anything is possible in Formula 1. But one thing is for sure—I want to be on the grid next season."
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