Oliver Bearman is currently outperforming his teammate Esteban Ocon in the F1 standings, with 18 points to Ocon's 3. On the eve of the Austrian Grand Prix, Ocon's future in the sport is under scrutiny.
What happened?
Ocon's contract expires at the end of the 2026 campaign, and his struggles since joining Haas in 2025 have raised questions about his future. Last season, Bearman finished three points above Ocon, thanks to a strong end to his campaign.
Why it matters for Oliver Bearman
Bearman's continued momentum into 2026 has seen him sit 11th in the standings, while Ocon is down in 16th. Haas boss Ayao Komatsu revealed in May that the team should decide on its 2027 line-up this summer, with Bearman likely to take one spot.
Ocon has maintained that his struggles stem from problems with the car, putting his 2025 woes down to issues with the VF-25's braking. Although it's currently unclear what he's specifically struggling with in 2026, he reckons they must be fixed first before his results start improving.
What comes next?
Time is running out for Ocon, with the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend. Ocon said: "I've got the trust of the team. I've got the trust of Ayao." He's focused on improving his fortunes, but his future remains uncertain.
Bearman's performance has been a highlight for Haas, and his continued success will be crucial in securing his spot on the team for 2027. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Ocon to see if he can turn his fortunes around and secure his future in F1.
Ocon's mantra is that his struggles are due to car issues, and he's working hard to resolve them. He added: "As a driver, the performance on track is what I need to be taking care of. The rest, it's something that goes with it."
The Austrian Grand Prix will be a key test for Ocon, and his performance will be closely watched. With Bearman's success and Ocon's struggles, the future of the Haas team is uncertain, and the next few races will be crucial in determining the outcome.
On 18 June, the F1 world will be watching the Austrian Grand Prix, and Ocon's performance will be under scrutiny. Will he be able to turn his fortunes around, or will Bearman's success continue to overshadow him?