Ocon dropped – is it the end of his F1 career?

Haas has ended Esteban Ocon’s season early after a breakdown in relations with team principal Ayao Komatsu following an argument during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. The split leaves the 30-year-old French driver facing a likely year away from racing as he tries to secure a reserve role and keep his Formula 1 career alive.

Ocon objected over team radio when his race-simulation tyre plan was changed, and the disagreement continued after practice; the details of what happened in the subsequent meeting remain unclear, with lawyers involved. Ocon denied reports of physical violence, while Haas later confirmed he would not drive for the team again. He has made 198 grand prix starts since 2016 and was already due to leave Haas at the end of the year; the article also cites his record against recent team-mates and concerns about tensions within teams as hurdles to finding another seat.