Ocon insists 2026 won't be his last F1 season as Bearman's Haas deal waits on Ferrari talks

Esteban Ocon arrived in Austin without a seat for 2027 but with no plans to leave Formula 1. On US Grand Prix media day, the Frenchman said he does not believe this season will be his last in the sport. In the other Haas garage, Ollie Bearman is still waiting for his own 2027 deal to be announced, with talks between his management and Ferrari holding it up.

Ocon looks beyond Haas

Haas confirmed at the end of September that Ocon will leave at the end of 2026. Last week the team named Rafael Camara, the Formula 2 championship leader and a Ferrari junior, as his replacement on a multi-year deal.

According to The Race, Ocon said in Austin that he still expects to be in F1 after this year. He also spoke about the reaction from his fellow drivers. He said Lance Stroll, a friend, was the only driver who got in touch with him privately after the news broke.

He also referred to his former Alpine team-mate Pierre Gasly. Gasly had said in public that Ocon's exit was not all down to him and that he had a career to be proud of. Ocon said Gasly had not texted him and that the support had only been in the press. He added that he does not need support from other drivers.

A difficult season in numbers

Ocon's 2026 has been tough. After the Singapore Grand Prix he had 7 points, compared with 23 for Bearman. Earlier in the year Haas boss Ayao Komatsu admitted that problems with parts varying from car to car had made it hard to compare his two drivers fairly. Even so, the gap has been clear, and Haas chose to bring in a rookie for next year.

Ocon has made almost 200 Grand Prix starts. Where he races next, or in which series, is still open.

Why Bearman is still unconfirmed

Bearman is almost certain to stay at Haas in 2027, and Komatsu has said the team intends to keep him. The delay is about the longer term. The Race reports that Bearman's management is negotiating with Ferrari about what happens after 2027.

Bearman said the remaining issues are contractual and out of his hands. He said Haas is where he wants to be, but that he feels ready to fight for podiums. His long-term aim is a top team, and ideally Ferrari.

The background is that Ferrari's seats are taken. Charles Leclerc is on a long-term deal and Lewis Hamilton has been competitive, with 229 points after Singapore. The Race suggests Bearman's camp could be looking for a release clause. That is the outlet's analysis, not a confirmed term.

Bearman's original Haas deal was signed in July 2024. RacingNews365 reports it covered 2025 and 2026 with an option for 2027.

What it means for the 2027 grid

Haas look set to run Bearman and Camara next year. Ocon joins the drivers outside the current top teams looking for a way to stay in F1.

For now, Ocon still has six races with Haas, starting at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend. The US Grand Prix starts at 4am on Monday, Malaysia time.

Key takeaways

• Esteban Ocon says 2026 will not be his last year in Formula 1, despite losing his Haas seat to Rafael Camara.
• Ocon said Lance Stroll was the only driver who contacted him privately after the news.
• Ollie Bearman is expected to stay at Haas in 2027, but the announcement is waiting on talks with Ferrari about his future after that.
• Bearman says Ferrari is his long-term goal.

FAQ

Who is replacing Esteban Ocon at Haas? Rafael Camara, the Ferrari junior who leads the Formula 2 championship. Haas announced him as a 2027 driver on a multi-year deal.

Why has Haas not confirmed Ollie Bearman for 2027? Reports say his management is in talks with Ferrari about his future beyond 2027. Bearman said the remaining points are contractual and out of his hands.

Has Ocon said where he will race next year? No. He has said only that he does not believe 2026 will be his final season in Formula 1.

Sources: The Race, RacingNews365, GPblog, Crash.net