Guenther Steiner predicts Esteban Ocon Haas exit unless he makes ‘drastic changes’

Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has issued a strong warning to Esteban Ocon, suggesting the Frenchman will lose his seat by the end of the season unless he can “change something drastically”.

Speaking during The Red Flags Podcast after Ocon’s 14th-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, Steiner claimed: “I think he’s gone by the end of the year. He’s not back next year. Look, how many laps was he down? Two laps, three laps.”

When pressed on whether Ocon could salvage his position within the American outfit, Steiner was sceptical. “If he doesn’t change something drastically, he will not be there next year,” the former team chief said.

This comes after reports that Ocon could be in trouble at Haas, claims the team strongly denied during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.

Responding to claims that there had been a disagreement between Ocon and team principal Ayao Komatsu, the latter said in Montreal: “I honestly don’t know where the story came from, no idea. No foundation whatsoever, absolute bull****.

“If somebody wants to write that kind of bull****, feel free, but is that journalism? I have no idea. It’s terrible. What are they trying to achieve? It’s crazy. No foundation whatsoever.”

Clarifying whether he had spoken to the 29-year-old about the reports, Komatsu added: “I spoke to him this morning, but for me there’s nothing to defend from our side whatsoever. It’s incredible. Part of it is that apparently I had some issue with Esteban in Miami – where’s that come from? I didn’t even have a single argument with Esteban in Miami.”

Ocon joined Haas in 2025 alongside British driver Oliver Bearman. While Bearman impressed in his rookie season, collecting 41 points to finish 13th in the drivers’ championship, Ocon finished 15th with 38 points. Bearman’s impressive form has continued into 2026, with the Briton earning 18 points so far, while Ocon has only picked up one point in the opening five rounds.

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