On 10 August 2016, Rio Haryanto was dropped from the backmarker Manor Racing team after his sponsors had failed to meet their contractual obligations. Ocon was named as his replacement for the second half of the season, driving alongside Pascal Wehrlein. Ocon made his Formula One debut at the , finishing 16th. He earned his best result of 12th in the rain-affected Brazilian Grand Prix, dropping out of the points positions on the final lap.