Esteban Ocon scolded after Haas F1 benching: 'That frustrates me'

2009 F1 champion Jenson Button has admitted he is “frustrated” by the situation revolving around Esteban Ocon, suggesting he may have thrown away the rest of his F1 career.

Haas confirmed at the end of September that Ocon would depart the team at the end of the 2026 campaign, bringing an end to his two-year stint.

Shortly after, Haas confirmed it had signed rookie Rafael Camara, who is expected to partner Oliver Bearman.

Button has acknowledged that such a situation would have been difficult for Ocon to swallow.

“It's always difficult for a driver when you know that your team is looking at someone else for the following year, and you're out,” Button told Sky F1.

However, on Saturday morning in Mexico City, the team confirmed that Ocon would be replaced for the rest of the race weekend, with Ryo Hirakawa stepping in for the Frenchman.

Haas gave no official reason behind the withdrawal, but clarified that it did not have to do with illness.

Reports emerged that Ocon may have been involved in a physical altercation with team principal Ayao Komatsu, a story that the grand prix winner denied.

But there was some tension brewing, with Ocon voicing his displeasure over team radio during FP2 over the team's plan to run him on the medium compound, when he desired the soft.

Button has hypothesised that Ocon may have thrown away his F1 career over the matter.

“The best thing for him to do for number one, which is himself, is to drive as hard as he can, work as hard as he can, and show how good he is. 

“He can't do that anymore because of a disagreement on tyres in practice. 

“It's not even qualifying or the race; it's practice. That frustrates me when I see that.

“These are 22 of the best drivers in the world who don't get this opportunity easily, and he's possibly just thrown away the rest of his career in F1.”