Palmer: Ocon 'really in trouble' at Haas as 2027 seats fill up

Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes Esteban Ocon is "really in trouble" at Haas, pointing to a strained relationship with the team and a glaring performance deficit to teammate Oliver Bearman. With the 2027 driver market beginning to solidify, the Frenchman is rapidly running out of options to save his grand prix career.

Why it matters:

Haas represents Ocon's final foothold in Formula 1 following his Alpine departure. Signed in 2025 to provide veteran leadership, he has instead spent two seasons being consistently outpaced by his rookie teammate. Losing this seat would likely end his F1 career, as few competitive vacancies remain for 2027.

The details:

• 2025 comparison: Bearman finished 13th with 41 points in his rookie season; Ocon managed 38 points in 15th.
• 2026 gap: After 11 rounds, Bearman sits 13th with 18 points while Ocon is 17th with just three.
• Relationship: Palmer said Ocon's ties with Haas have become "strained," a red flag as the team builds its long-term project.
• Replacements: Alex Brundle floated 2025 F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and Ferrari junior Rafael Camara as potential successors.
• Contract talks: Ocon confirmed no deal before the summer break, but expected August discussions with team principal Ayao Komatsu.

What's next:

The coming weeks will decide Ocon's fate. With Verstappen, Sainz, and Albon locked into long-term deals, the midfield market is tightening fast. Ocon must secure terms with Haas this month or risk being replaced by a younger prospect with stronger backing.