Ocon declares himself 'definitely a free agent' as Haas future hangs in the balance

Esteban Ocon has confirmed he is currently a free agent for next year as his future with Haas remains unresolved, insisting he still has "a lot more to give to this sport" despite a difficult campaign.

The Frenchman has been the focal point of speculation that he will not be retained by Haas next season, rumours that have swirled for much of the year and even prompted him to deny a rift with the team ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix in May. Ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, Ocon admitted discussions are ongoing but hinted that parallel talks may be taking place elsewhere to keep him on the grid in 2027.

"At the moment I'm definitely a free agent for next year," Ocon said on Wednesday's media day in Baku. "All these discussions, and there are some certain topics in the background that are out of my control at this moment. I'm focused on the track, trying to deliver the best I can and getting the result that this team deserves."

A decade in F1, unfinished business

Ocon has amassed just three points for Haas so far this season, scoring in Japan and Monaco — the latter being the last time a Haas car finished inside the top 10. It marks a frustrating return for a driver who has now spent a decade in Formula 1, highlighted by a sole victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with Alpine and three further podiums.

When asked whether he had considered a future outside Formula 1, Ocon was unequivocal:

"No. Everything that we're looking at is in F1. I'm 30 years old, raced 10 years in F1, but I've got a lot more to give to this sport. Having won one race and being a couple of times on the podium doesn't satisfy me.

"I've raced almost 200 races, which is a lot, but I'm not happy with what I've done and what I've achieved so far. When I see some of my colleagues that I've been racing with, they are all winning races, being on pole and that's where I want to be as well. I've got a lot more to give to this sport, I'm not looking at something else."

Bearman confident of staying put

While Ocon's seat is uncertain, team-mate Ollie Bearman appears far more relaxed about his own situation. The Briton has scored 18 points for Haas, including a fifth-place finish in China, though he has also struggled to match that early-season form as the team has lost pace relative to its rivals. Like Ocon, Bearman has yet to be formally confirmed by Haas — but he believes his future is all but settled.

"The final decision is not really in my hands but I'm prepared to stay with Haas next year," Bearman said ahead of Saturday's race in Baku. "I think that's what will end up happening and to be honest I think that's a good success because it would be the third year we're together. Even the fourth almost because we started out almost at the end of 2023. It's been a while that I've been developing, growing and learning with this team.

"I really love the trajectory we're on. We've had a rough patch recently but we've proved many times and will continue to prove we'll fight and punch above our weight."

With the Baku paddock watching closely, Ocon's fate remains one of the key contractual storylines of the off-season — and the Frenchman is determined to write a different chapter than his current points tally suggests.