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Archive photograph, for illustration. Esteban Ocon’s Haas car on track at Imola in 2025.

Komatsu praises Ocon after Haas exit announcement

Archive photograph, for illustration. Esteban Ocon’s Haas car on track at Imola in 2025. · 2025-05-16Jen_ross83 · CC BY 4.0

Ayao Komatsu says Esteban Ocon can still perform at the highest level, despite Haas’s decision to part with him at the end of 2026.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 2 min

RacingNews365 reports that Esteban Ocon will leave Haas at the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The French driver joined from Alpine at the start of 2025 and has raced alongside Oliver Bearman. His best result with Haas was fifth place at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix; RacingNews365 says he has recorded two top-10 finishes so far in 2026.

RacingNews365 describes Ocon’s Formula 1 future as uncertain. Where he might race in 2027 remains unclear.

Update

Haas has announced that it will part ways with Esteban Ocon at the end of 2026, BBC Sport reported on 30 September. Ocon joined the team in 2025.

Ocon responded: “This is absolutely not the end of my Formula 1 career.”

BBC Sport says there are no obvious seats for Ocon on the 2027 grid. Where he could continue his Formula 1 career after leaving Haas remains unclear.

Update

Ocon described his impending Haas departure as frustrating, but said he did not want to discuss what had happened in the past. In comments reported by RacingNews365 Nederland on 1 October, he said he was looking ahead instead.

The French driver argued that he deserved to remain in Formula 1. He said Haas had benefited from problems identified early in his time with the team. Asked whether the VF-26’s inconsistent performance had counted against him in the decision, Ocon said he did not think it had.

Ocon said his focus remained on Formula 1 and that he was still looking for a seat next year. He has not announced a new drive.

Update

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has praised Esteban Ocon’s speed and teamwork after Ocon announced he would leave the team at the end of the 2026 season. Speaking to media including RacingNews365, Komatsu said he felt it was time for a change, but maintained that Ocon could perform at the highest level when everything came together. He declined to give specific reasons for the decision.

Komatsu pointed to Baku as an example of Ocon’s cooperation. He said Ocon promptly eased off when asked, helping team-mate Oliver Bearman gain overtake mode while under pressure from Arvid Lindblad.

Komatsu said Haas would focus on giving Ocon the right environment for the remaining races, while Ocon concentrated on performing at each one. He hoped they would finish the season strongly.

Sources 04
  1. SOURCEBreaking: Esteban Ocon confirms Haas exit with F1 future in doubtRacingNews365 English · Source date as found: 2026-09-30
  2. PRIMARY SOURCEEsteban Ocon to leave Haas putting F1 future in doubtBBC Sport · Source date as found: 2026-09-30
  3. SOURCEOcon reageert fel op vertrek bij Haas: "Ik verdien het om hier te zijn"RacingNews365 Nederland · Source date as found: 2026-10-01
  4. SOURCEHaas launch strong Esteban Ocon defence despite wielding axeRacingNews365 English · Source date as found: 2026-10-01
Source context

RacingNews365 English reported the departure on 30 September 2026. Its headline says Ocon confirmed it, but the article gives no statement from him.

BBC Sport reported Haas’s announcement and Ocon’s response on 30 September 2026.

Source: RacingNews365 Nederland’s 1 October 2026 report on Ocon’s comments to the media.

RacingNews365 reported Komatsu’s remarks to media on 1 October 2026; he declined to give specific reasons for the split.