Ralf Schumacher claims one F1 driver’s exit from the grid is already ‘a done deal’

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The Formula 1 driver market is yet to receive its first official move for the 2027 campaign, but Ralf Schumacher has claimed that one driver’s exit from the grid is already ‘a done deal’.

Around half of the grid will be out of contract upon the conclusion of the current F1 campaign, which indicates that there may be a fair bit of business taking place within the paddock between now and the end of the term.

Max Verstappen’s frustrations with the current ruleset have made him the key in this year’s driver market. Whether he opts to take a sabbatical or swap sides in the pit lane, his seat at Red Bull remains one of the only frontrunning drives that could potentially be available.

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Lewis Hamilton’s future in F1 is another big unknown. The seven-time world champion is understood to be under contract at Ferrari until the end of 2027, but retirement has been mooted. Ralf Schumacher believes the time has come for him, and so do F1 fans.

As such, the majority of drivers who have expiring deals will be waiting to see what comes of both Hamilton and Verstappen’s seats before seeking a renewal or looking elsewhere. However, that can only happen if a seat on next year’s grid is realistic.

For one driver in particular, that isn’t the case, according to Schumacher.

• READ MORE: One F1 driver may not ‘finish the season’ because his team principal ‘clearly doesn’t like him’

Ralf Schumacher claims Esteban Ocon’s F1 exit is already ‘a done deal’

During the latest episode of the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, the F1 pundit outlined the dilemma that Haas currently have regarding their driver line-up.

Oliver Bearman is understood to be the heir apparent for Hamilton at Ferrari, and the Scuderia are likely to come calling on the 21-year-old Briton if the seven-time world champion decides to call it a day at the end of the term.

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Schumacher is under the impression that Haas will field a brand-new driver line-up next year if the move does happen for Bearman after claiming that Esteban Ocon’s exit from the grid at the end of the season is already ‘a done deal’.

“Haas has a real dilemma here, because I’m assuming that Bearman will now get a chance to drive for a bigger team. And one thing is clear: Ocon isn’t good enough. At best, he’s on a par with Bearman, and more often than not, he’s worse.

“Bearman is still at the start of his career; things are still developing. Accordingly, I can’t imagine we’ll see Esteban Ocon again next year. That’s pretty much a done deal as far as I’m concerned. That would mean the team has a major problem.

• READ MORE: Esteban Ocon has had a ‘fallout’ with Haas boss Ayao Komatsu and Yuki Tsunoda could replace him

“I can imagine Ferrari has first refusal on Bearman if they need him. That means if Lewis Hamilton actually decides to retire, then he’d be gone too. So, filling two seats would mean bringing in a young driver.

“I can almost imagine they’d have to go all out somewhere in the industry to bring in someone else they know, someone they can trust, and with whom they can continue to develop.”