![\"Ocon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/XPB_1435077_HiRes.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEsteban Ocon says he is talking to other F1 teams about his future in the sport. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEsteban Ocon says he is talking to other F1 teams about his future in the sport. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
The Frenchman described himself as a \u201cfree agent\u201d during media day ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Haas yet to settle on its driver line-up for next season.<\/p>\n
Ocon joined the American squad ahead of 2025 but has endured a difficult second campaign, scoring only three of the team\u2019s 21 points so far this year as Haas has slipped away from its stronger early-season form.<\/p>\n
His position has increasingly come under scrutiny as the team assesses several potential alternatives through its Testing of Previous Cars program.<\/p>\n
Asked directly about his contractual situation for next season, Ocon acknowledged his future remained unresolved.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment, I\u2019m definitely a free agent for next year,\u201d Ocon said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are things in discussion that are out of my control.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are certain topics that are out of my control. So, I will keep pushing until the end of the year and see how it goes.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked whether that meant discussions were taking place with teams other than Haas, Ocon replied: \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old was considerably less forthcoming when questioned over whether remaining with Haas was still a possibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s see,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ocon\u2019s uncertainty comes at a time when the number of realistic openings elsewhere on the 2027 grid continues to shrink.<\/p>\n
McLaren, Ferrari, Williams, Alpine and Cadillac already have their pairings in place, while Max Verstappen has committed his long-term future to Red Bull and Isack Hadjar has now been confirmed alongside him for next season<\/a>.<\/p>\n Mercedes and Audi are also widely expected to continue with their existing combinations, leaving few obvious destinations should Ocon and Haas ultimately go their separate ways.<\/p>\n Aston Martin could yet enter the market depending on Fernando Alonso\u2019s plans beyond the end of 2026, while the remaining uncertainty within the Red Bull system centres on the two Racing Bulls seats.<\/p>\n Haas itself is meanwhile continuing to investigate several options as it considers who will race alongside Oliver Bearman, who is expected to remain with the squad for a third season.<\/p>\n The team has used several recent TPC outings to evaluate potential candidates, with Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, McLaren reserve Leonardo Fornaroli and Haas reserve Ryo Hirakawa among those to have driven previous-generation machinery.<\/p>\n