Former Haas Boss Guenther Steiner Warns Esteban Ocon: 'Gone by the End of the Year' Unless He Changes Drastically

Guenther Steiner has warned Esteban Ocon that his Haas seat is in serious jeopardy, predicting the Frenchman will be out by the end of the 2026 season unless he makes drastic improvements. Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast after Ocon's 14th-place finish in Canada, the former Haas team principal pointed to a performance that left him multiple laps down, saying: "I think he's gone by the end of the year."

Why it matters:

Ocon's struggles expose a growing performance gap with teammate Oliver Bearman, threatening his future in F1. After joining Haas in 2025, the 29-year-old has been consistently overshadowed by his younger teammate, raising questions about his ability to remain in the sport beyond this season.

The details:

• Steiner claimed Ocon was "down two or three laps" in Montreal and doubted he could salvage his position without a major shift in form.
• Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu vehemently denied rumors of a rift with Ocon, calling the reports "absolute bull****" and "terrible journalism."
• By the numbers: Bearman has 18 points in the opening five rounds of 2026, while Ocon has just one. In their only full season together (2025), Bearman outscored Ocon 41–38.
• Ocon's single point places him 19th in the drivers' championship, while Bearman sits 9th, reinforcing the disparity.

Between the lines:

Steiner's comments carry weight as the man who built Haas from its early years, even though he no longer holds a role at the team. His blunt assessment reflects a narrative that has been building since Ocon's arrival: the Frenchman has not matched the raw pace and consistency of Bearman, who impressed immediately as a rookie.

What's next:

With the driver market already stirring for 2027, Ocon needs strong results in the coming races to prove he still belongs. Mid-season evaluations at Haas could accelerate a decision—and unless he "changes something drastically," as Steiner put it, his seat may soon be filled by another contender.