New details of Esteban Ocon's team boss 'altercation' emerge with contract set to be terminated
The F1 world was stunned when Esteban Ocon was removed from his seat in the middle of the Mexico City GP weekend - now a new report of the incident is beginning to paint a fuller picture, saying this also looks to mark the end of his time with Haas.
The outspoken Frenchman got involved in a fiery exchange on team radio with his Haas engineer over tyre choice during Friday’s practice session, before the shock announcement came on Saturday that he would take no further part in the event.
Rumours of a "physical altercation" between Ocon and Haas boss Ayao Komatsu then had to be denied on social media by Ocon, but a new report alleges that the driver "grabbed the shoulder" of the team principal in a meeting.
New report sheds light on Esteban Ocon’s ‘altercation’ with his Haas team boss
Esteban Ocon had been told prior to the Bahrain GP held in Malaysia that his services would not be required by Haas next year, with young Brazilian Rafael Camara taking his place.
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With other options on the grid looking slim, the Frenchman was clearly upset, telling reporters that he “did not deserve” to see his F1 career come to an end.
This ill-feeling looked to have carried over into the Mexico City GP weekend, with Ocon agitated on team radio when discussing tyre choices with engineer Laura Mueller.
"We've swapped the high fuel run to medium, because Ollie [Bearman]'s appearance is not right," Mueller said to him on team radio.
"I'm still doing soft, right?" Ocon replied. "No, we're still doing medium," she told him.
"No, no. I want to do soft... don't do that to me, come on," Ocon said.
As the Frenchman was being wheeled back into the garage, he said, "Yeah, it is my turn this weekend, so come on."
The argument is reported to have carried on into the team’s hospitality area with his team boss Ayao Komatsu. Reports emerged from L’Equipe that the pair had got into ‘physical altercation’, which then had to be strenuously denied by Ocon on social media.
However, new detail has now emerged on what actually went on.
What happened between Esteban Ocon and team boss Ayao Komatsu?
What no party has denied is that there was a tense argument on Friday between the driver and his team boss.
Following the Grand Prix weekend, Bild has now reported further on what really happened during the incident, picking up the story from Friday.
“Later that evening, a team meeting reportedly became heated,” it says. “According to BILD, Ocon wanted to apologise and sought a meeting with Komatsu in his office on Saturday.
“The Japanese man reportedly told him he had no interest in a discussion. Ocon, in turn, replied that he would not leave until he had spoken with Komatsu. When Komatsu attempted to leave the office, Ocon allegedly became physical and grabbed him by the shoulder.”
Whatever transpired, Ocon had clearly crossed a line for Haas and Komatsu. On Saturday, the team released an abrupt statement saying he would take no further part in the weekend, being replaced by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa.
Coincidentally, Komatsu was chosen that weekend to take interviews from the pitwall throughout the weekend by Sky. The commentators asked during Free Practice 3 what had happened concerning Ocon.
"I can't go into detail, but I can say that he is not ill," he replied.
Ocon’s likeness, name and number were immediately removed from all areas of the garage and hospitality, and replaced with Hirakawa’s.
After post-race penalties, the Japanese driver managed to score a point on debut in tenth. He looks likely to be replaced in turn by Camara next weekend - but what will happen to Ocon?
Bild reports that his contract is set to be terminated, bringing a brutal end to his Haas tenure, and possibly his Grand Prix career too.
What will Haas F1 reject Esteban Ocon do next?
F1 reserve driver
Only a few race berths on the F1 grid are yet to be officially confirmed for 2027, and none of them look likely to go to Ocon.
His more realistic option would be to take a role as a reserve driver and wait for another chance the following season.
He previously drove for Aston Martin (when it was called Racing Point) and Alpine, and told L’Equipe he was in talks with the former about a reserve role.
Sports car racing - Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship
Ocon could do worse than to move into sports cars. That discipline’s biggest race, the Le Mans 24 Hours, is held in France and has a big pull for drivers from its homeland.
IndyCar - Racing up against the walls in America
If Ocon wants to keep his single-seater career going, he could move Stateside to IndyCar.
The series runs on notorious oval circuits, running next to barriers at over a 200mph average speed. Many F1 drivers say they’re too scared to contemplate it - could Ocon?
Topics: Formula 1
James Elson