Komatsu explains Haas’s decision to part ways with Ocon

F1 / NEWS & CONTEXTNEWS & CONTEXT

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-10-10GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

Haas wants speed alongside greater consistency and feedback in its driver selection, team principal Ayao Komatsu says, while acknowledging that the team’s own inconsistencies sometimes did not play to Ocon’s strengths.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · 10 Oct 2026, 20:38 · 1 min

Haas and Esteban Ocon confirmed at the end of September that they would part ways after the 2026 season. Explaining the decision, team principal Ayao Komatsu said driver selection at Haas depends on the overall performance of its package; the team wants speed alongside greater consistency and feedback.

Komatsu described Ocon as very quick on his day, particularly when the car was perfect and Ocon was happy with it. He credited Ocon with contributing a lot to Haas.

Komatsu also pointed to Haas’s own weaknesses: the team still has many imperfections, he said, and its inconsistencies and other issues sometimes do not play to Ocon’s strengths. He suggested Ocon could flourish in a better environment.

On Oct. 8, Ocon said he wants to race in Formula 1 for the next five to seven years. If he cannot secure a full-time seat for 2027, he said, he would take a third-driver role.

Sources 02