Haas Drops Esteban Ocon for Rest of 2026 Season
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Post By
Emmie
- November 4, 2026
Haas has announced that Esteban Ocon will not race for the team for the remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Ferrari junior and current Formula 2 championship leader Rafael Camara set to replace him at this weekend's Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The decision comes shortly after Ocon was unexpectedly stood down mid-weekend during the Mexico City Grand Prix following an internal dispute. Japanese reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa substituted for the French driver from Saturday onward in Mexico, finishing 10th to claim a point on Sunday. However, prior commitments in the World Endurance Championship in Italy mean Hirakawa is unavailable to drive in Brazil.
That conflict opened the door for the 2027-signed Camara to step into the VF-26 early alongside British teammate Ollie Bearman for his home race. The Brazilian previously completed a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) outing with Haas in August.
Team Principal Ayao Komatsu confirmed the permanent squad change in an official statement:
"We have now notified Esteban Ocon that he will not return to a race seat with TGR Haas F1 Team this season. Such decisions are never made lightly, as was the case in Mexico City – but then, as now, we feel this is firmly in the best interests of the team moving forward. The conversations that ultimately unfolded between the team and Esteban remain an internal matter, and we will continue to respect the private nature of closed-door situations."
"Looking ahead, we’ve chosen Rafael Camara to drive alongside Ollie Bearman at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Having excelled in his TPC outing in August, we know Rafa’s capabilities and we’re looking forward to welcoming him into the team this weekend and working with him through his Formula 1 debut driving the VF-26 in Brazil."
Ocon was removed from the car in Mexico following a disagreement with race engineer Laura Mueller during Friday's second practice over tire strategy. Subsequent media reports suggested the dispute escalated into an abrupt confrontation with Komatsu.
Ocon later denied rumors of physical violence while addressing the incident, admitting that "a difference in viewpoints led to a discussion with the parties involved". He stated that he "categorically rejected any reports or allegations suggesting that any form of physical violence was used to resolve any differences of any nature".
Having logged 198 Grand Prix starts and one career victory since his 2016 debut, Ocon had already announced his departure from Haas at the end of the year. With minimal vacant seats available across the grid, the 30-year-old is expected to pursue reserve options to maintain a footprint in the paddock.
Haas has not yet named a driver to fill the seat alongside Bearman for the final three rounds of the 2026 calendar in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
