Ocon shrugs off speculation about his Haas future following team’s test of Fornaroli

Esteban Ocon says he is focused on trying to improve his performance rather than possible implications for his future after Haas tested Leonardo Fornaroli in Spain.

McLaren reserve driver Fornaroli has tested in 2025 machinery for the defending constructors’ champions, and got the chance to drive last year’s Haas car for the first time at Jerez last week. With both Ocon and teammate Oliver Bearman out of contract at the end of the year, the Frenchman – who has three points to Bearman’s 18 – says he is ignoring any speculation surrounding his seat.

“I've got the trust of the team, I’ve got the trust of Ayao [Komatsu, team principal, pictured with Ocon, above] – I think Ayao has discussed in Canada already many of these topics,” Ocon said. “I'm focused with the team to try and get the things that we have in control better.

“So, I'm chill. On my side, trying to do the best we can, focus on the right things. People can say whatever the f**k they want, to be honest, I don't give a s**t too much. I'm just wanting to do a good job for everyone.

“It's been, three, four races where it's been quite tough for the whole team. Of course, we've scored a few points, but not enough, not what we want and we need to come back into shape. We deserve it – obviously, we are doing a lot of hard work, but it has yet to come and pay off.

“We are into race what, seven? Eight? It’s fine.”

Ocon says Haas understands why the results have not always come his way, with the 29-year-old scoring three points to Bearman’s one in the past five rounds.

“The main thing I need to focus on as a job, as a driver, is the performance on track – [that] is what I need to be taking care of. I mean, the rest, it's something that goes with it. Obviously, we have bigger problems with the car at the momentso this is what we need to sort out first. If you sort out the car issues and get more performance out of it, everything will go easier.

“But I feel confident about everything. There will always be talks when people look at the picture from Paris, but we're in Austria. And when you look deep inside and you know why I don't have many points this year and all of these things, well, it gets more clear.

“So the real reasons we know deep inside – the team and the people close around – so that's most important. We know that we are doing the right work. Now, we just need it to pay off, obviously.”