Ocon Fires Back at Early Exit Rumors: 'Complete Bullshit'

Esteban Ocon has dismissed rumors linking him to an early exit from Haas as 'complete bullshit', and flatly denied any dispute with team principal Ayao Komatsu. The Frenchman addressed the speculation ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, calling the stories fabricated and damaging to his reputation.

Why it matters:

Trust between a driver and team is essential in Formula 1. Ocon joined Haas knowing Komatsu since his days as a Lotus development driver in 2014. A public rift would undermine team morale and performance, especially as Haas aims to build momentum after a tough start to the 2026 season.

The details:

• The rumors, which spread after the Miami Grand Prix, alleged a falling out between Ocon and Komatsu, leading to speculation about an early replacement. Ocon labeled them 'complete nonsense' and noted that one article even misspelled Komatsu's first name as 'Ryo'.
• Ocon emphasized his strong relationship with Komatsu. 'I came to this team for the reason that I know Ayao since so long... I'm fully on board with the team for the whole year.' He added that the conversation after Miami was a normal discussion about improvements, not a dispute.
• While Ocon admitted a disappointing start to the season — with bad luck from safety cars hampering results — he stressed that the team's pace and foundation are solid. 'There's nothing wrong going on.'
• The rumors affected him personally, along with his family and sponsors. He criticized the lack of accountability for those spreading false stories, calling it 'almost like bullying'.
• Ocon noted that reputable journalists verify sources, unlike the outlets that published the story. He had to investigate, but talking to real people confirmed it was fabricated.

What's next:

With the rumors firmly put to rest, Ocon and Haas can focus on extracting better results. He remains confident in the team's direction and his contract ensures he's there for the year. 'The base foundation of the work that we are doing is there,' he said, looking to turn luck around.