Juan Pablo Montoya: Esteban Ocon faces 2027 seat risk at Haas if 2026 results fall short

Follow us on Google Discover

Juan Pablo Montoya has warned Haas driver Esteban Ocon that if his performances don’t improve during the 2026 Formula 1 season, he’ll lose his place on the grid.

Esteban Ocon is one of the more experienced drivers on the grid this year, having made his debut at the 2016 Belgian Grand Prix with Manor.

Backed by the Mercedes driver program but never given the opportunity to race for the Silver Arrows, Ocon made his name alongside Sergio Perez at Force India and Fernando Alonso at Alpine.

The first pecking order predictions are IN!

What jumps out?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

The Frenchman joined Haas in 2025 as he sought a new challenge, and relations between Ocon and Alpine soured.

Ocon started life at Haas brilliantly, finishing fifth in China and eighth at the Bahrain Grand Prix, and opened a considerable lead over rookie teammate Oliver Bearman.

However, the 29-year-old finished behind Bearman in the drivers’ championship by the end of the season, and former Williams and McLaren star Juan Pablo Montoya has sent Ocon a warning about his F1 future.

READ MORE: Haas driver Esteban Ocon’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Juan Pablo Montoya warns Esteban Ocon that Jack Doohan could replace him at Haas in 2027

Montoya was speaking on his AS Colombia podcast, and reacting to the news that Jack Doohan had joined the team as a reserve driver, he said: “Expectations were higher [for Ocon], and it’s complicated because it seems to me that if things don’t go well this year, there could be a seat available, and if Lewis leaves [Ferrari], there will be two seats available.

“There are two seats available because Bearman would logically go to Ferrari, eventually, and Doohan knows that, so that’s why Doohan is putting himself in the best position.”

Jack Doohan was released from Alpine after just a handful of races, after stepping into Ocon’s car for the final round of the 2024 season.

Despite suggestions that he was in contention to replace Franco Colapinto at a moment’s notice throughout 2025, ultimately, he was never offered that second chance, and the Argentinian was eventually confirmed for the 2026 campaign alongside Pierre Gasly.

Montoya’s logic is sound, as both Bearman and Ocon could potentially move on at the end of the year, especially if Lewis Hamilton does decide to leave Ferrari.

READ MORE: All to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari and Toyota ties

Esteban Ocon gives his verdict on Haas’ first 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain

Ocon will know that he needs to step up this season, and the early signs from pre-season testing in Bahrain were positive.

Ferrari’s power unit appears to be in a good position compared to its rivals, and Haas’ car was very reliable.

They could feasibly be the best of the rest behind the top four teams going into the Australian Grand Prix, and reflecting on the first test in Bahrain, Ocon said: “We’ve finished the first week, and it’s taken a lot from everyone to be able to complete that amount of laps.

“We didn’t have any major issues, and we completed programs, which is very positive. I don’t think anyone will understand how much work and effort there has been inside our garage, engineering office and back at our factories to get that many laps in, and climb mountains to be ready every time the track turns green.

“We’ve made progress, and although there are still things to look at, overall it puts us into a good position for week two, and we know what we’re going to work on.”