Ocon dropped – is it the end of his F1 career?

Esteban Ocon's career as a Formula 1 race driver is over – at least for the foreseeable future – after falling out with Haas. Andrew Benson looks at what the future holds for the Frenchman. Ocon has driven in 198 grands prix since making his debut in 2016 Esteban Ocon's career as a Formula 1 race driver is over – at least for the foreseeable future – after a falling-out with Haas led to the Frenchman being dropped for the rest of this season. Ocon, 30, was already going to be leaving Haas at the end of the year, with little prospect of finding a seat on the grid next season. But the acrimonious turn of events in Mexico City last weekend brought that forward by a few races.

Ocon now faces a year on the sidelines, with the aim of finding a berth as a reserve driver, as he seeks to rebuild his career. This is not the first time he has found himself in this situation. Ocon was also without a seat in 2019 when he lost his drive at what had been called the Force India team after it was bought by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who put his son Lance in Ocon's car. This, though, feels like it has more potential finality about it. Not least