Esteban Ocon has dismissed speculation about an injury during the 2026 Formula 1 shakedown in Barcelona, following photos of him holding crutches. The Haas driver, entering his second full season with the team, explained that the crutches belonged to his father, who had recently undergone knee surgery.
After an uneven debut season with Haas in 2025, Ocon is preparing to improve his performance in 2026. The French racer’s best finish last year was fifth place in the Chinese Grand Prix, contributing to Haas securing eighth place in the constructors’ standings, their highest tally since 2018.
Reviewing Haas’s Recent Performance and Driver Line-Up for 2026
Ocon ended the previous season just three points behind his rookie teammate Oliver Bearman, who impressed by matching Haas’s best-ever fourth place in Mexico and showing strong pace in the latter half of the year. Both drivers are confirmed to continue racing for Haas in 2026.
At the recent Barcelona shakedown, Haas was among the most active teams on track, completing 386 laps—only Mercedes and Ferrari logged more. Ocon’s presence was noted trackside, raising one of the crutches while observing the testing behind closed doors, which sparked the injury rumors circulating among fans and media.
Ocon’s Response to Injury Speculations and Insights from the Test
Addressing the rumors, Ocon said with a laugh that the reports were
“a little bit of an insult.”
He elaborated,
“People were saying I was driving with crutches. That’s awesome. I don’t know if you’ve seen that.”
He confirmed the crutches were his father’s, who had a knee operation, and emphasized the impossibility of driving an F1 car while injured.
“I feel like that was a little bit of an insult because you can’t drive an F1 car if you’re injured, that’s for sure!”
— Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 driver
Ocon found value in watching the test from the sidelines, allowing him to study braking points and the way cars behaved in critical sections of the circuit, particularly Turn 10. He commented on how teams adjusted their strategies between Turns 10 and 12, observing how different manufacturers used their engines, especially in wet conditions.
“Testing is made for that. That’s the only time where I’m going to see the car running from the outside.”
— Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 driver
Implications and What to Expect Next from Ocon and Haas
Ocon’s clarity on the injury rumors should reassure fans and the Haas team as they head into the new season. The driver demonstrated a sense of humor and confidence while also showing an analytical mindset by closely following the technical details of the shakedown. Haas’s strong testing participation highlights its commitment to development, as the team aims to improve on last year’s solid but inconsistent results.
With Ocon and Bearman confirmed for the 2026 campaign, Haas looks to build on its progress and challenge higher up the midfield. Observations from the recent test, including Ocon’s insights, suggest the team is focusing on refining race strategies and understanding track dynamics. The upcoming season will reveal if these efforts translate into better results on race day.
