Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has stated that Esteban Ocon could be facing his last year in the championship if his poor form and mistakes continue. Steiner highlighted Ocon's collision with Franco Colapinto during the Chinese Grand Prix. Ocon trails teammate Oliver Bearman significantly in the 2026 standings.
Guenther Steiner, ex-team principal of Haas, expressed concerns about Esteban Ocon's performance during an appearance on The Red Flags Podcast in the 'Gas or Brake' segment. When asked if this might mark Ocon's final year in Formula 1, Steiner replied: 'Gas, full gas. If he continues like this... If he decides to take Colapinto out like he did in China, for sure it is his last year because that's not even a rookie mistake. That's just dumb, you know.' This warning follows Ocon receiving a 10-second penalty in the Chinese Grand Prix for causing a collision with Alpine driver Franco Colapinto. Ocon apologized post-race, saying, 'It's my fault, I did a mistake, I misjudged it.' In 2025, rookie teammate Oliver Bearman outperformed Ocon, finishing 13th in the drivers' standings to Ocon's 15th, with just three points between them. Entering 2026, Bearman holds fifth place with 17 points from a seventh in Australia, eighth in the Chinese sprint, and fifth in the Chinese Grand Prix. Ocon languishes in 16th with zero points after 11th in Australia, 10th in the Chinese sprint, and 14th in the Chinese Grand Prix. Ocon, 29, debuted in 2016 with Manor, later racing for Force India, Renault/Alpine, and Haas on a multi-year deal from 2025. His career highlights include a sole win at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, four podiums, one fastest lap, and 483 points.