Alan Permane on Esteban Ocon: “It’s a shame it ended like this”

Esteban Ocon’s time at Haas was already set to come to an end at the close of the 2026 season. The US team had not renewed the Frenchman’s contract, opting instead to bring Brazilian driver Rafael Câmara on board for 2027. However, over the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, the partnership between Haas and Ocon came to an end sooner than expected – and with a bang.

On Saturday morning Mexican time, i.e. before FP3 and qualifying, Haas surprisingly released Ocon. Haas reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa stepped in for qualifying and the Grand Prix whilst still in Mexico. In Brazil a week ago, Câmara made his early debut (Hirakawa was racing in the WEC that weekend). Haas has not yet revealed who will drive the last three races of the 2026 season. One thing is clear: it won’t be Ocon. He’s definitely out at Haas. According to reports, his sacking in Mexico was preceded by a heated row between Ocon and Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu.

Formula 1 is in shock following the sudden departure of the driver with 198 Grand Prix starts to his name. Alan Permane, the current Racing Bulls team principal, said of Ocon in Brazil: “Esteban is a great bloke.” Permane knows Ocon very well from their time together at Alpine. The British engineer held various roles with the French team until summer 2023, most recently as sporting director. Ocon drove for Alpine – and its predecessor team, Renault – from 2020 to 2024.

Alan Permane und Esteban Ocon arbeiteten bei Alpine zusammen (hier 2022)

Foto: XPB Images

Permane particularly recalls Ocon’s surprise victory in Hungary in 2021: “I was in Budapest when he won the race, and he thoroughly deserved the victory – with a fair bit of help from Fernando (Alonso, ed.) to keep Lewis (Hamilton, ed.) at bay in the closing stages. I think he’s exceptionally fast. He’s a lovely lad, and I feel it’s a shame for him.”

Topic of the week

Crazy MotoGP hero? Jorge Martin as 2026 World Champion in Psychology

Many shook their heads – whether out of bewilderment, admiration or disapproval – when a badly injured Jorge Martin opened the throttle at Sepang and Losail. Martin’s message has got through.

Thomas Kuttruf

Read More

TV Program

Live

Las Vegas: Rennen Re-Live

FIA Formula One World Championship

22.11.2026 - 07:30

Permane on Ocon’s departure from Haas

Permane: “It’s a shame it ended like this. I think that’s the crux of the matter. I think if he’d been able to see out the season, that would have been nice for him, and he could have walked away with his head held high. We don’t know what’s going on, and I certainly won’t speculate on it. But I think he’s had a very good career, and I’m not saying it’s over. He’s had a very good time in Formula 1, a very strong career, and he’s a fast driver. I simply wish him all the best for the future.”

It is unclear how, or indeed whether, Esteban Ocon’s Formula 1 career will continue. After it emerged that his contract would not be renewed for 2027, Ocon had shown a fighting spirit and announced that he would remain in F1. In reality, no cockpit is likely to become available for 2027 – and his premature departure from Haas is unlikely to help in contract negotiations (e.g. for a role as a third driver). Ocon himself recently wrote that his love for the sport remains undiminished.