Haas boss Komatsu erupts: Ocon rumors are 'absolute bullshit'

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has unloaded on reports suggesting Esteban Ocon is set to be dumped from the team, calling the claims "absolute bullshit" with no foundation. The outburst came ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix after rumors escalated, alleging a fallout between the pair following the Miami weekend. Both Komatsu and Ocon have now publicly dismissed the speculation as baseless.

Why it matters:

Rumors in Formula 1 can quickly damage driver reputations, sponsor relationships, and team morale. With Haas introducing a major upgrade in Montreal, the off-track distraction threatened to undermine focus — but Komatsu's forceful denial aims to shut down the narrative before it takes hold.

The Details:

• Komatsu told reporters he has "no idea" where the story originated, labeling it "fucking bullshit gossip."
• He insisted there was no confrontation with Ocon in Miami: "I didn't even have a single argument with Esteban."
• The pair spoke on Thursday morning in Canada, both bewildered by the scale of the rumors. "We were just smiling and talking about what the fuck's that about," Komatsu said.
• Ocon earlier called the reports "complete bullshit," noting the personal toll on his family and sponsors. He attributed his points deficit to teammate Ollie Bearman (16 points behind after four rounds) to safety car timing, not performance.
• Komatsu questioned the credibility of outlets that ran the story: "If somebody wants to write that kind of bullshit, feel free, but is that journalism?"

What's next:

Despite the noise, Haas is pushing forward with a substantial upgrade package introduced at the Canadian Grand Prix. The team hopes to rebound after a difficult start to the 2026 season, with both drivers now publicly aligned and the rumor mill firmly shut down — at least for this weekend.