ESTEBAN OCON CONFIRMS HE IS A FREE AGENT FOR 2027
Esteban Ocon has confirmed that he is currently a free agent for the 2027 Formula 1 season. Speaking to the media ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Haas driver said that he does not have a contract for next year, adding further uncertainty to his future with the American team.
“At the moment, I’m definitely a free agent for next year,” Ocon said in Baku. The Frenchman also confirmed that discussions are taking place about his future, including talks with other Formula 1 teams. When asked whether remaining with Haas was still an option, he replied that it would be necessary to wait and see.
Ocon joined Haas for the 2025 season after leaving Alpine. He is now in his second season with the American team and has scored three points so far in the 2026 championship, with points finishes coming in Japan and Monaco. His best result with Haas remains a seventh place from the 2025 season.
The Frenchman also made it clear that he wants to remain in Formula 1. Ocon is now 30 years old and has already made almost 200 Grand Prix starts, but he said that he still has more to achieve in the sport. He has one Formula 1 victory, which came with Alpine at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, as well as three other podium finishes.
Haas has not yet officially confirmed its complete driver line-up for 2027. Team principal Ayao Komatsu said in Baku that the decision is expected within the next couple of weeks, meaning Ocon’s situation could become clearer before the end of the current season.
The strongest name linked with Ocon’s seat is currently Rafael Câmara. The Brazilian is a Ferrari junior and is competing in Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2026. He is currently second in the F2 championship and has become one of the main candidates for a move to Formula 1 next season.
Câmara has also already been evaluated by Haas on track. The team ran him alongside Leonardo Fornaroli and Ryo Hirakawa during a three-day Testing of Previous Cars programme at Portimão in August. Haas used the test to gather more information about several drivers while considering its options for 2027.
Reports from several outlets now indicate that Câmara has moved to the front of Haas’ list, although neither Haas nor Ferrari has announced an agreement. The team has previously said that several drivers were being considered for the second seat alongside Oliver Bearman.
Bearman’s position is also not officially confirmed, but the British driver said in Baku that he expects to remain with Haas. He joined the team as a full-time F1 driver in 2025 after making several race appearances as a Ferrari reserve during the previous season.
Câmara is not the only driver who has been considered by Haas. Earlier in the process, Komatsu named several candidates, including the team’s reserve Ryo Hirakawa, 2025 Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and other options alongside Ocon. The Portimão test gave Haas another opportunity to compare some of those drivers.
For Ocon, the situation now leaves two main questions for the rest of the 2026 season: whether Haas will keep him for another year or choose a new driver, and whether he can find another opportunity elsewhere if he leaves the team. Ocon has confirmed that his focus remains on Formula 1 and that discussions about his future are already taking place.
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