Esteban Ocon Dismisses Haas Exit Rumors as 'Complete Bullshit' and 'Bullying'

Esteban Ocon has forcefully denied speculation that he will be fired by Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, labeling the rumors "complete bullshit" and "almost like bullying." Speaking at media day for the Canadian Grand Prix, the French driver dismissed reports of a fallout with Komatsu as entirely fabricated.

Why it matters:

The rumors, if true, would have signaled a dramatic shake-up at Haas mid-season, but Ocon's strong rebuttal and his documented long-standing relationship with Komatsu suggest stability within the team. With Ocon under contract for the full year, the distraction could have undermined focus ahead of a critical race weekend.

The details:

• Ocon called the reports "complete bullshit" and "unbelievable," noting that one article mistakenly referred to Komatsu as "Ryo Komatsu," confusing him with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa.
• He emphasized that claims of a "massive dispute" in Miami are "complete nonsense" and "fabricated."
• Ocon highlighted his personal history with Komatsu, who was his engineer during his first F1 test at Renault: "I came to this team for the reason that I've known Ayao for so long; I've got a great relationship with him."
• The 29-year-old insisted his position is secure: "I'm fully on board with the team for the whole year; I've got a contract with the team."
• He compared the spread of rumors to bullying: "When it gets so big, it's almost like bullying in a way."

What's next:

Ocon remains focused on the season ahead, pointing to the team's solid pace despite early misfortune with safety cars. With the rumors firmly denied, Haas can continue its development push without unnecessary off-track noise. The Canadian Grand Prix will offer a chance for Ocon to let his driving do the talking.