Haas boss goes off on media over “fabricated” Ocon controversy

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu did not hold back his anger over media reports claiming a bust-up with Esteban Ocon in Miami, calling the story entirely fabricated and a waste of time. The Japanese boss and the French driver both forcefully denied the speculation ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, with Komatsu questioning the credibility of the outlets that ran the story.

Why it matters:

In a paddock where rumors can quickly unsettle driver-team relationships, baseless stories risk damaging trust and distracting from actual performance. Komatsu’s strong public rebuttal—and Ocon’s matching reaction—highlights how unchecked speculation can erode media credibility and create unnecessary tension within a team.

The details:

• A report from a Brazilian journalist hinted at a rift between Komatsu and Ocon during the Miami Grand Prix, suggesting Ocon could be axed mid-season.
• Komatsu, visibly furious, told GPblog: “Absolute bulls**t. No foundation whatsoever. Is that journalism? It’s terrible.”
• He stressed he and Ocon had no argument in Miami: “We were just smiling and talking about what the f**k that was about.”
• The boss also criticized Japanese and French media for picking up the story without fact-checking, calling it “completely fabricated gossip.”
• Ocon separately dismissed the exit rumors in equally strong terms, labeling them “complete bulls**t” and almost likening the coverage to bullying.
• The original journalist, Julianne Cerasoli, later clarified she was discussing Rafa Camara’s 2027 Haas situation, not any Miami rift.

What's next:

Komatsu hopes the clarification ends the distraction, but the episode underscores the need for rigorous sourcing in Formula 1 journalism. With both parties united in denial, the focus now returns to on-track performance as Haas seeks to build momentum through the 2026 season.