Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon has now confirmed a previous tease. He will leave his current team after the 2026 season.
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Ocon, who previously told reporters that he would be a free agent, issued a statement on X on Sept. 30. He said that he will leave Haas F1 Team after the season finale. He will strive to continue his career. Although he has not provided any details about his next opportunity.
According to the official F1 website, this move comes after Haas decided to bring in a new driver for the 2027 season.
"My time with Haas F1 Team will come to an end at the end of the 2026 season," Ocon posted on X. "I leave this project with my head held high and proud of my performances in what were not always the easiest of circumstances for various reasons and factors outside of my control.
"My immediate focus is the next race weekend. I will continue to work hard with the team, maximise every opportunity, and keep extracting every bit of performance from the car.
"There are still many races to go this season and, as always, I will give it my everything behind the wheel for myself and for my team. I am still motivated. I am still hungry. This is absolutely not the end of my Formula 1 career."
Ocon, who has one career win from the 2021 season, has spent two seasons with Haas. He drove the No. 31 last season and finished 15th in the championship standings after posting an average finish of 12.5. A fifth-place finish in the Chinese Grand Prix served as his best outing of the year.
He has made 15 starts this season. Last weekend's eighth-place finish in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix serves as his best finish so far.
The F1 team lineup has largely taken shape as this season has progressed. Multiple teams have solidified their lineups for 2027, which makes it more difficult for Ocon to find a full-time ride next year. A reserve driver role is more likely.
This includes Aston Martin, who confirmed that Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will return. Red Bull also signed Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar to extensions.
Haas F1 Team and Racing Bulls are the only teams that have not yet confirmed their lineups for 2027. Racing Bulls currently has Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad controlling its two entries.
