The Frenchman confirms that conversations with the team continue normally while he remains focused on solving the car's inconsistency. He assures that neither he nor Bearman are responsible for the current performance problems.
Esteban Ocon faced the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid with the serenity of someone who is clear about his path. The French driver, the only one on the current grid over whom serious rumors circulate regarding his future, appeared unperturbed before the press at Madring. Conversations with Haas continue calmly and the work within the team also continues, although the question about his continuity in 2027 still hangs over the paddock.
Ocon himself confirmed that negotiations are underway: "Obviously we've been talking about the future over the last few weeks, I was convinced to join this project with Ayao since 2025 and of course the first conversation has to be with this team and they are taking place right now" declared the Frenchman. Ocon arrived at Haas in 2025 with the mission of leading the American project, but his performance has been hampered by a car that has not lived up to expectations.
The Frenchman also referred to the possibility that Haas might try other drivers in the future: "The team can try other drivers if it wants, we have a TPC program that is very important for us, it's also a source of income" he explained. However, he was blunt in pointing out where the real problem is: "It's clear that within the team, we drivers are not the problem, we are all working together in the same direction to try to get the most out of the car" he stated.
The car's inconsistency has been the main headache for Haas this season: "It's something we've been dealing with since the beginning. Ayao, Ollie and I are fully aware of the problem" explained Ocon. The Frenchman detailed how this irregularity affects the drivers unequally: "When we have a clean car, it can perform and we perform. Ollie had a car that performed as expected in Monza but for me it was very different, in Budapest it was he who ran into these problems" he recounted.
Ocon insisted that the team is completely focused on solving this situation: "We don't want to have these problems at the start of the weekend so we can work normally on the car, it becomes difficult when you're chasing a performance deficit" he admitted.
Despite the difficulties, the Frenchman highlighted the positive aspects of the recent work: "We've made it through three Q2s in a row and I feel like I got the most out of the car, it's not the result we were looking for, we need more performance to fight for points but it's already satisfying to know that we are getting the most out of the car we have" he valued.
The upgrades introduced in Monza also left good feelings: "They were positive, they delivered what was promised. For the team it wasn't the best circuit to test them, but it was good to have them. We continue working on the car's inconsistency, that's what is causing us problems right now" he added.
The Frenchman trusts that the new Madring circuit, with its close walls and its challenging layout, could offer opportunities for the midfield teams: "It's a crazy circuit where you can gain a lot by taking risks. Those who take the most risks will be rewarded but there are also many unknowns, which is great because it will create opportunities in terms of strategy" he pointed out.
Ocon knows his future at Haas is at stake, but his focus is clear, to work, solve the car's problems and take advantage of the opportunities that arise, while names like Rafael Câmara, Leonardo Fornaroli or Jack Doohan are mentioned as possible replacements, the Frenchman has the opportunity to demonstrate in Madrid that his experience and his talent remain valuable assets for the team.
