Driver shake-up looming at Haas for 2027 F1 season

Rafael Camara is the frontrunner to race for Haas in 2027, RACER understands, after Esteban Ocon confirmed he is a free agent next year.

Ocon’s future has been uncertain for a number of months after a disappointing start to this season, with the more experienced of the two Haas drivers struggling to match Ollie Bearman’s results in the opening rounds. While Ocon was the last Haas driver to score a point in Monaco earlier this year, his upturn in form has coincided with an inconsistent car performance and he has now confirmed he is on the market for 2027.

“At the moment, I'm definitely a free agent for next year,” Ocon said. “There are things in discussion that are out of my control. There are certain topics that are out of my control. So I will keep pushing until the end of the year and see how it goes.”

While Ocon confirmed he’s in talks with other teams, he sidestepped a question about having any chance of remaining with Haas.

Ayao Komatsu’s team has been evaluating a number of options during testing of previous car (TPC) outings this year, including reserves Ryo Hirakawa and Jack Doohan, as well as Leonardo Fornaroli and F2 championship contender Camara.

While no final decision has been made, RACER understands it is Camara who is now the frontrunner to replace Ocon, in what would be an all-Ferrari junior partnership alongside Bearman next year.

While frustrated with the difficulties Haas has faced with its car this season, Ocon said the fact that both he and Bearman have been providing the same feedback about inconsistencies has helped those outside the team understand the challenges he has been facing.

“When your teammate, your team boss, everybody speaks about it, it’s three team representatives that are talking about the same thing," he said. "So we are all on the same page. We are not hiding it. We know it's been an ongoing issue. And 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's been a lot of times where I've performed when the car was underperforming. So, it's been clear, everybody in the team has been following that very closely, trying to fix the problem. We haven't been hiding from it. But it's been quite disappointing at times, obviously, to have this kind of problem.”