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Motorsport
Motorsport
Lydia Mee

Jolyon Palmer casts doubt on Esteban Ocon's Haas F1 future: "Really in trouble"

Esteban Ocon Jolyon Palmer Haas F1 Oliver Bearman

Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes Esteban Ocon is "really in trouble" regarding his future at Haas amid a "strained relationship" with the American squad.

The 2027 F1 grid is beginning to take shape after Max Verstappen committed to Red Bull until the end of 2030 and both Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon signed contract extensions with Williams. Consequently, the paddock's focus has shifted to the remaining midfield vacancies, with Ocon's seat at Haas being questioned.

Speaking on the F1 TV Weekend Warm-Up broadcast ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, Palmer cast doubt on the Frenchman's future with Haas.

"I think Esteban is really in trouble," Palmer explained. "He's had a bit of a strained relationship now with Haas. He's not performed and that's the big seat."

Alex Brundle, who joined Palmer on the show, also said: "Yeah, Esteban's seat is the one that's up for discussion. Could it be Leonardo Fornaroli, who was Formula 2 champion last year? Could it be the Ferrari-associated Rafael Camara in that seat, or indeed will Ocon keep it?"

Ocon joined Haas in 2025. In his first season with the team, he was outperformed by his rookie team-mate Oliver Bearman. While Bearman finished the year 13th in the drivers' standings with 41 points, Ocon was 15th with 38 points.

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team (Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images)

Unfortunately for the 29-year-old, this performance deficit has continued into 2026. After the first 11 rounds, Bearman sits 13th in the drivers' championship with 18 points and Ocon is 17th with just three points.

Ocon spoke about his contract ahead of the summer break, confirming that there was nothing to announce at that time but hinting that discussions would likely take place during August.

"Of course nothing to announce yet," he said. "The summer break will be quite busy. We will see. At the moment we're focused on this race and we'll see what happens.

"There's always many options. At the moment we will discuss with the team first. I've been here for two years. I've been convinced by Ayao [Komatsu] to come here. The first discussion will happen with this team for sure."

Photos from Dutch GP - Friday

49Formula 1 George Russell, Mercedes

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 George Russell, Mercedes

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Lando Norris, McLaren

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Liam Lawson, Red Bull

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Lando Norris, McLaren

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Lando Norris, McLaren

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Lando Norris, McLaren

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Yuki Tsunoda

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Grandstand

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Lando Norris, McLaren

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Fans gathered for the stage

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Carlos Sainz, Williams

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

 George Russell, Mercedes

Dutch Grand Prix - Friday

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