Esteban Ocon appears set to lose his Formula 1 seat within days after Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu confirmed the team is on the verge of finalising its 2027 driver line-up. The Frenchman is widely expected to pay the price for being consistently outperformed by team-mate Oliver Bearman, with Ferrari junior Rafael Camara emerging as the favoured replacement.
Komatsu’s comments at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix have left little doubt that a decision is imminent.
KOMATSU SIGNALS DECISION IS DAYS AWAY
Speaking during free practice in Baku, Komatsu told Sky Sports that Haas is “very close” to settling its 2027 roster. “I’d like to think we can make a decision soon, let’s say by the end of this month,” he said. The timeline points to an announcement before the end of September.
The clarity of the message has intensified speculation that Ocon’s time at the team is over.
OCON OUTPERFORMED BY BEARMAN FOR A SECOND YEAR
Both drivers joined Haas in 2025, with Ocon expected to take the lead role while Bearman adapted to Formula 1. Instead, the young Briton finished his rookie season with more points than the experienced Frenchman. That pattern has continued into 2026.
While Haas have struggled for overall competitiveness, Bearman extracted stronger results when opportunities arose. Ocon has managed only three points across the majority of the current season, leaving him vulnerable as the team evaluates its future.
Ocon himself confirmed on media day in Azerbaijan that he is a free agent and has already held discussions with other teams about a possible 2027 drive.
CAMARA EMERGES AS THE LEADING CANDIDATE
Haas have conducted an extensive evaluation process. Reserve driver Jack Doohan, Toyota-linked Ryo Hirakawa, Super Formula champion Sho Tsuboi and McLaren junior Leonardo Fornaroli have all been given testing opportunities in previous cars.
Despite that wide net, sources indicate the team is leaning toward Rafael Camara. The 21-year-old Brazilian is a Ferrari academy driver, like Bearman, and is currently in contention for the Formula 2 title. Arriving in Baku just seven points off the championship lead, Camara has demonstrated the kind of consistent performance Haas are prioritising.
PERFORMANCE OVER POLITICS
Komatsu has repeatedly stated that pure speed will dictate the final choice. Commercial affiliations and manufacturer relationships will only become relevant if the on-track performance gap is negligible. That philosophy appears to favour Camara’s current trajectory over sentiment or seniority.
Retaining Bearman alongside another Ferrari-linked driver would also create a clear technical and developmental pathway, something the team has shown little concern about publicly.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HAAS AND OCON
For Haas, the impending decision represents a continuation of their recent approach: prioritising young, high-potential talent over established names who are not delivering results. A Bearman-Camara line-up would be one of the youngest on the grid and closely aligned with Ferrari’s junior programme.
For Ocon, the loss of the seat would mark the end of a second stint in Formula 1 that never fully reignited his career. At this stage of the season, alternative opportunities are limited, though his free-agent status leaves the door open for late-season developments.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT WITH WIDER RIPPLE EFFECTS
When Haas confirm their 2027 drivers, the impact will extend beyond the American team. Camara’s promotion would free up a seat in the junior ranks, while Ocon’s departure would add another experienced name to the driver market. Rival teams monitoring the midfield will take note.
For now, the message from Komatsu is clear. The evaluation process is almost complete, the direction of travel is apparent, and an official announcement is only days away. Esteban Ocon’s Formula 1 future is hanging by a thread.
