Haas confirms Esteban Ocon’s exit after a disappointing 2026 season, leaving its 2027 seat open amid a lineup of promising and controversial candidates.
Ocon’s Lingering Performance Gap
Despite claiming his first F1 victory in Hungary and completing an 18‑month stint alongside rookie Oliver Bearman, Ocon finished 45 points to Bearman’s 61. The Frenchman’s results, particularly when contrasted with Bearman’s steady improvement, have ultimately led to the team’s decision to part ways at the season’s end.
Leonardo Fornaroli: A Proven Junior Powerhouse
Fornaroli, the 21‑year‑old Italian winner of both the F3 and F2 titles, has been shored up by McLaren as a development driver and recently appeared in free‑practice sessions at Barcelona and Budapest, chalking up a fifth‑place finish only half a second off Oscar Piastri’s lap time. McLaren’s team boss, Andrea Stella, praised Fornaroli’s proactive engineering approach and described him as “a very interesting character” who consults engineers and shares insights straight from his notebook. Should Haas secure the loan of Fornaroli, the team would gain a driver familiar with Ferrari’s engine package, matching the brand of its current engine supplier.
Ryo Hirakawa: A Reserve Driver with Motorsport Credentials
Hirakawa, aged 32, joined Haas as a reserve in 2025 after stints with McLaren and Alpine and a dozen years of single‑seater battles, including four Super Formula victories and a runner‑up title. While most of his experience lies in Japan’s Formula 3 and in endurance racing—where he claimed the 2017 Super GT title, a Le Mans win, and consecutive WEC championships in 2022 and 2023—He has undertaken several TPC programmes with Haas. Should Toyota declare a “junior Esteban Masson” available after WEC departure, the Japanese driver’s move to Haas could be workable, though the team’s decision would need to weigh his relative youth and proven single‑seater record.
Yuki Tsunoda: A Japanese Drama in the Junior Cache
Tsunoda, 26, rose through the ranks with Duetto Faenza, fighting his way past competitors like Daniel Ricciardo and Nyck de Vries. Despite a 2015 promotion to Red Bull Racing and a return to the junior team in 2026, he battled the performance gulf against Max Verstappen, ending 17th in the standings. An injury to 2026 Red Bull reserve Isack Hadjar opened a seat for Lawson; Tsunoda, under Honda affiliation, fended for a return when he filled Racing Bulls’ void at Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix, scoring a point at Monza. Yet his Honda ties may prevent a Haas contract, and the driver publicly urged teams for a “full‑time” spot.
Liam Lawson: A Red Bull Graduate at a Crossroads
Lawson, 24, has a mixed F1 history: beginning at Faenza in 2023, dropping back to the junior belt for most of 2025, and then returning for the final eight rounds of 2024. With a low point total in 2025, he finds the team unlikely to re‑promote him to the main grid. Noting the rise of teammate Nikola Tsolov and rookie Arvid Lindblad, Lawson’s prospects hang on Racing Bulls’ mid‑field placement. A move to Haas would see him step down a class, yet the seat offers a stable environment compared to Racing Bulls’ perpetual “no‑stay” culture.
Rafael Camara: The All‑Round F2 Champion
Camara, 21, captured the F2 championship following an F3 title in his rookie season. Notably, he earned five poles in an otherwise moderate rookie year, matching historic rookie lap submissions. Ferrari’s academy, aligning with Haas’ engine supplier, could facilitate his inclusion. After a successful TPC test in Portimão, Camara’s “high‑qualifying” prowess could translate into the 2027 Haas lineup, potentially giving the young Brazilian a powerful platform for future progression.
The decision will revolve around how Haas weighs immediate competitive potential against long‑term alignment with engine suppliers, junior programmes, and developmental experience. Which name ultimately surfaces could prove decisive for the team’s resurgence as the new regulations reshape the F1 grid.
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