Esteban Ocon confirms he is a free agent for 2027 F1 season
Ocon's future won't be at Haas (Photo: Race Pictures)
Updated: 13:54, 23 Sep
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Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Esteban Ocon has admitted he’s a ‘free agent’ heading into 2027, as Haas finalise their driver line-up for the new season.
GPblog exclusively revealed that Ocon will be leaving the American team at the end of the season, with Formula 2 title challenger Rafael Camara his likely replacement.
Speaking to this outlet and others at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Ocon not only confirmed as much, but that he doesn’t have a replacement drive in the offing.
He commented: “At the moment, I'm definitely a free agent for next year.
“There are things in discussion that are out of my control. Certain topics are out of my control. So, I will keep pushing until the end of the year and see how it goes.”
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Ocon confirms talks with other F1 teams
Asked if he was speaking to other teams, he replied: “Of course.”
Ocon was then asked if he was still in the frame at Haas, he responded: “Let’s see.”
“At the moment, I'm definitely a free agent for next year."- Esteban Ocon
The Frenchman is in his 11th season in Formula 1 but has struggled to match teammate Ollie Bearman since his arrival at the team last year.
Ocon sits 18th in the 2026 drivers’ championship on just three points, 15 fewer than Bearman.
However, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu continues to defend his performances, admitting the car hasn’t been capable of competing at certain races.
Ocon has struggled to match Bearman at Haas (Photo: Race Pictures)
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Ocon insists performance is not behind uncertain future
Asked if that honesty has helped with his pursuit of a new deal for 2027, Ocon said: “When your teammates, your team boss, everybody speaks about it, it's three team representatives that are talking about the same thing.
“We are all on the same page. We are not hiding it. We know it's been an ongoing issue.
“It's good. It's reassuring that I'm doing a good job and, obviously, my performance hasn't been an issue this year.
“I've performed every time I had the car, and I've been the last one to score in Monaco; I was almost scoring in Madrid.
“There have been a lot of times where I've performed when the car was underperforming. So that's been clear.”
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Backing up Ocon’s point, Komatsu defended his driver in front of GPblog and the media.
Komatsu comes to Ocon's defence
He commented: “In Budapest he was strong; he was doing a very good job.
“Zandvoort, he was strong. Ollie didn’t have a car, but he [Ocon] was on it all weekend.
“Monza again, we were missing some performance on Esteban’s car, so it’s very difficult to judge, he was never close to Ollie, but that’s not entirely his fault.
“What’s encouraging is that even during those difficult weekends, his approach was very, very good, really positive.
“And then this weekend [Madrid], the car’s behaving and Esteban’s enjoying driving this track and getting the most out of it, so I’m happy with what he’s doing.”
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Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Overview
Thursday 24.09.26
Practice 1
08:30 AM
Practice 2
12:00 PM
Friday 25.09.26
Practice 3
08:30 AM
Qualification
12:00 PM
Saturday 26.09.26
Race
11:00 AM
Thursday 24.09.26
Practice 1
Thu 08:30 AM
Practice 2
Thu 12:00 PM
Friday 25.09.26
Practice 3
Fri 08:30 AM
Qualification
Fri 12:00 PM
Saturday 26.09.26
Race
Sat 11:00 AM
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