Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon has released a statement addressing his recent benching by the Haas F1 team, firmly denying rumors of a physical altercation within the squad.
The French driver, who joined Haas for the 2025 season, was unexpectedly left out of the team's lineup for the upcoming race weekend. Speculation quickly emerged suggesting a physical confrontation may have occurred between Ocon and team personnel, prompting the driver to issue a public denial.
In his statement, Ocon categorically rejected the allegations of any physical incident, describing them as "completely false and damaging." He emphasized his professional commitment to the team and expressed disappointment at the spread of unsubstantiated rumors.
Haas F1 Team has not yet released an official comment on the specific reasons behind Ocon's benching or the nature of the rumors. The team's decision comes at a critical point in the championship season, with both constructors' and drivers' standings still competitive.
Ocon, a race winner with Alpine in 2021, has experienced a challenging debut season with the American-owned squad. The 28-year-old's future with the team remains uncertain as the 2026 driver market continues to develop.
