Daily News 19

Tag: Esteban Ocon

  • Esteban Ocon and Haas Find Positives Despite ‘Disappointed’ Madrid Result

    Esteban Ocon and Haas Find Positives Despite ‘Disappointed’ Madrid Result

    Esteban Ocon expressed disappointment after narrowly missing out on championship points with an 11th-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, marking his closest brush with a top-ten result since the Monaco round. Despite the frustration, the Haas F1 Team extracted significant encouragement from the weekend, with their latest aerodynamic upgrade package demonstrating genuine performance gains at the Madrid circuit.

    Upgrade Package Delivers on Promise

    The American squad had endured a difficult mid-season slump following their last major update in Canada, which failed to deliver the expected step forward. A strong start to the campaign dissolved into repeated Q1 eliminations and battles with Williams and Aston Martin. However, the team introduced updates to Ollie Bearman’s car in Zandvoort, with Ocon receiving the aero package at Monza. While the Italian circuit’s characteristics masked some of the gains, the improvements were fully visible at the Madring layout.

    Ocon: Strong Start Undone by Pit Stop

    Qualifying 13th—his best single-lap performance since Japan—Ocon placed himself directly in the fight with the two Audi entries. He executed a brilliant opening lap, passing both Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto to run inside the top ten early on.

    “We are all disappointed, I think we could have got much more, we deserved to be in the points today,” Ocon said after the race. “The plan was to get both Audis at the start and we managed to do so, we got both of them off the line and between Turn 1 and 2. I got Gabi [Bortoleto] first off the launch and then Nico [Hülkenberg] around Turn 2. So, that was very good.

    “We knew it would be hard to hold them off. But we were in front until the stop, at the stop we lost the position. We need to see what I could have done better, if I could have stopped a little bit better position or what happened as I think it was a decent stop so they must have done a really, really good one.

    “But we gave it our all out there. I am proud of everyone, because we come from a long [run] where we were out in Q1, below P15. Now we are fighting for points, so it is pretty positive and encouraging for the rest of the races.”

    Hülkenberg subsequently reclaimed the position during the pit-stop phase under the Virtual Safety Car, ultimately finishing tenth to score a point for Audi. The German manufacturer now trails Haas by just four points in the Constructors’ Championship.

    Progress Confirmed Despite Points Loss

    Ocon remained upbeat regarding the team’s trajectory, emphasizing the correlation between the new parts and improved consistency.

    “Since we got the update obviously, we are seeing when the car is healthy and we don’t have the inconsistency we can perform to a decent level and this is what we need to keep doing,” he added.

    Komatsu: Disappointment Signals Raised Expectations

    Team principal Ayao Komatsu echoed his driver’s sentiment, noting that the collective frustration over an 11th-place finish underscores how far the squad has come since the summer break.

    “The car was functioning very well, the drivers drove well, trackside and remote operations were really good, I think we did our best today. We lost out on the pit stop against Audi, but I don’t believe it was our team’s fault, it’s really the equipment that we need to improve to give them a better chance,” he explained.

    “I’m honestly very happy, it was a huge team effort all around, and the car’s consistency was there, no issues as we’ve had previously.”

    Bearman Finds Pace in Difficult Weekend

    Ollie Bearman also drew positives from a challenging weekend. After a heavy crash in FP3 forced him to start from the pit lane and take new power unit components, the rookie finished 16th but showed competitive lap times when running in clear air.

    “The car was strong, whenever I had clean air, I was right on pace with our competition. It was just unfortunately very rare that I had that, I was stuck in traffic,” he added.

    “I’m positive again, we needed a clean day after what happened yesterday. In that sense we have had that so we can turn the page, learn as much as we can from yesterday, but turn the page, reset and come back stronger in Baku.”

    With the upgrade package validated and both drivers reporting improved balance and consistency, Haas heads to Azerbaijan aiming to convert their renewed form into tangible points and defend their slender Constructors’ Championship advantage over Audi.

  • Ferrari’s ADUO 2 Upgrade Is No “Game Changer” for Haas Either

    Ferrari’s ADUO 2 Upgrade Is No “Game Changer” for Haas Either

    Bearman: Ferrari Engine Upgrade a “Much Smaller Step” Than Haas Aero Package

    Oliver Bearman has downplayed the impact of Ferrari’s ADUO 2 power unit upgrade, describing it as “a much smaller step” compared to the revised chassis Haas brought to the Italian Grand Prix. The Prancing Horse introduced its second and final power unit upgrade of the 2026 season under the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system, supplying one such powertrain to Haas for the Monza round. The engine was fitted to Bearman’s VF-26.

    Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team. Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

    Qualifying Progress Offset by Race-Day Struggles

    The American squad showed slight progress in qualifying, with the British rookie securing 12th place—his best grid slot since the Chinese Grand Prix in March. However, Haas endured a seventh consecutive point-less round at Monza, equalling its worst streak since the 2021 season. Bearman briefly held eighth in the opening laps but slipped back as he could not match the pace of the Alpines and Racing Bulls. Having stayed out under the virtual safety car, he finished 15th.

    Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur had already tempered expectations, stating the ADUO 2 powertrain would not be a game changer. Bearman echoed that sentiment after qualifying.

    “It’s a much smaller step than what the [aero] upgrade was, let’s say,” the 21-year-old commented. “Of course, there’s a bit more in this track, but in terms of a season average, it wouldn’t have been enough to get us out of the fight for Q1, to be honest, if you put that engine on us in Zandvoort. I don’t think it was a game changer.

    “Of course, more power is always nice, but you’ve read the news about how much it is. It’s definitely beneficial, but the biggest step was the [aero] upgrade, which was more than twice or three times the amount of power we got from the engine – which is testament to the team’s hard work, and I’m really, really proud of them for that.”

    Haas Aero Upgrade Details

    The Haas upgrade for Monza featured a revamped floor and revised bodywork on the sidepods and engine cover. While Esteban Ocon did not receive the new power unit, he benefited from the aerodynamic parts. Nevertheless, the Frenchman ended up seven tenths slower than his teammate in Q2.

    That gap does not equate to the engine deficit alone. Ocon has struggled with the VF-26’s aerodynamic inconsistency—an issue he believes has affected him at 10 of the 13 grands prix so far this year.

    Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team. Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

    Ocon: “We Didn’t Get to the Bottom of the Issue”

    Asked after qualifying if the car’s inconsistency had improved compared to practice, Ocon replied:

    “No, it wasn’t, unfortunately. We tried everything we could, taking all the bits in the garage to put it on the car. We did everything that we could, but we didn’t get to the bottom of the issue.

    “Unfortunately, we’re still losing a lot of load compared to Ollie, especially on the rear of the car. It’s not ideal, clearly, but the guys did a mega job by trying that.

    “And I was happy with my lap, you know. At the end of the day, I feel like I did a strong lap, I was happy with it. But the deficit of downforce plus the engine losses, it’s quite a lot around here. So that’s the max that we could have done.”

    The veteran driver did find a silver lining in the performance of the sister car: “They worked on Ollie’s side, yes, they did.”

    Constructors’ Battle Tightens

    Despite the aerodynamic step forward on Bearman’s car, both Haas entries finished behind the Audis. The German manufacturer now trails Haas by just five points in the constructors’ championship, setting up a close fight for the remainder of the season.

    Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team. Photo by: Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images
  • Haas Completes Latest TPC Test as Focus Grows on 2027 F1 Driver Lineup Decision

    Haas Completes Latest TPC Test as Focus Grows on 2027 F1 Driver Lineup Decision

    Haas has completed its latest Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme, with Ryo Hirakawa, Leonardo Fornaroli and Rafael Camara driving the team’s 2025 Formula 1 car as scrutiny of its 2027 driver line-up intensifies.

    As the 2027 F1 driver market gathers pace following the summer break, Haas remains one of the few teams yet to formally settle its line-up for next season. Oliver Bearman appears likely to retain his seat, while Esteban Ocon’s future remains under review as Haas evaluates its available options.

    Haas assesses 2027 driver options at Portimao

    The American team conducted a three-day TPC test at Portimao from 26-28 August. Reserve driver Hirakawa shared driving duties with 2025 Formula 2 champion and McLaren development driver Fornaroli, as well as current F2 title contender and Ferrari junior Camara.

    All three drivers completed laps in the VF-25, Haas’ 2025 F1 car, at the Portuguese circuit. The test followed a similar TPC programme at Fuji last month, where Toyota-backed drivers Sho Tsuboi and Nirei Fukuzumi were given running time.

    Haas has not released further details about the Portimao test, but the programme forms part of its broader evaluation of interested drivers before the team makes a final decision on its 2027 line-up.

    Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

    Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

    “I think it’s really good that other people are actually interested in us,” Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said ahead of the Dutch GP last weekend.

    “At the moment, we’re not performing so well. We cannot challenge for points, but I think it’s nice that other people can see the potential in us. Within the constraint how we’re fighting and we’re trying to improve the team. We just take it as a compliment that other drivers are interested.”

    Komatsu has emphasised that his immediate priority is maximising the performance of Haas’ car and drivers in 2026, suggesting the team will not rush its decision on the future pairing.

    Haas has frequently been among the last teams to confirm its driver line-up for the following season during its relatively short F1 history. With other teams expected to maintain stable driver line-ups for 2027, a similar timeline remains possible.

    “We’re not in any rush,” Komatsu said at Zandvoort. “We’re focused on our two drivers, Ollie and Esteban, trying to get the best out of them. They’ve got the tough challenge, right? You know what they are capable of.

    “Ollie has showed it repeatedly, Esteban, when he is happy with the car, you know what he can do. So we need to really just focus on providing them with the best possible car, best set-up adaptation, and get the best out of them. And then both of our drivers are fully focused. So at the moment, we’re focused on that.”

  • ‘We’re not in any rush’ – Ayao Komatsu Updates Haas’ 2027 F1 Driver Plans

    ‘We’re not in any rush’ – Ayao Komatsu Updates Haas’ 2027 F1 Driver Plans

    Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu Downplays Driver Line-Up Urgency Amid Development Struggles

    Haas Formula 1 Team Principal Ayao Komatsu has stated the team is in no hurry to finalize its 2025 driver lineup, emphasizing that the immediate priority is maximizing the performance of current drivers Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon. The comments come as the American-owned squad endures a difficult mid-season slump following a promising start to the campaign.

    Strong Start Gives Way to Points Drought

    Haas opened the season with competitive form, highlighted by Bearman’s impressive fifth-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix. However, the team’s trajectory has since reversed sharply. A run of six consecutive rounds without scoring points has seen Haas slip down the constructors’ order as midfield rivals—most notably Racing Bulls and Alpine—have outpaced them in the development race.

    The downturn has intensified speculation regarding the team’s plans for the 2027 regulatory cycle and beyond. While neither seat has been officially confirmed for next season, paddock consensus suggests rookie Bearman is more likely to retain his drive than the experienced Ocon. Potential candidates such as Ferrari junior Rafael Camara and Red Bull-affiliated Yuki Tsunoda are widely viewed as waiting in the wings should a vacancy arise.

    Komatsu: Focus Remains on Current Duo

    Speaking ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix—where Haas ultimately suffered a double DNF—Komatsu was reluctant to engage with the driver market speculation.

    “We’re not in any rush. We’re focused on our two drivers, Ollie and Esteban, trying to get the best out of them. They’ve got the tough challenge, right?

    “You know what they’re capable of. You know, Ollie has shown it repeatedly. Esteban, when he is happy with the car, you know what he can do.

    “So we need to really just focus on providing them with the best possible car, best set-up adaptation, and get the best out of them. And then both of our drivers are fully focused.”

    The points disparity between the teammates is stark: Bearman has accumulated 18 points to Ocon’s three. However, the rookie recently cautioned that the standings do not accurately reflect their on-track rivalry, citing apparent “inconsistency” between the parts fitted to their respective cars.

    Smallest Team Faces Biggest Regulation Challenge

    Komatsu acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing Haas, the smallest operation on the grid, under the current regulatory framework.

    “This is the biggest regulation change ever. So us being the smallest team, we expect that we’re going to really be struggling to keep up with the other big boys in the development race.

    “We started the season extremely well, much better than anyone can think of, and then from that moment I think that’s the reality. With our constraints, we’re trying to develop the car as fast as possible, but the other guys are putting performance on the car faster than us. That’s the reality.”

    The team principal was quick to defend his personnel, stressing that the deficit is a resource issue rather than a capability one.

    “Then, to be fair, honestly, it’s nothing against the guys in the team – they’re doing a fantastic job, they’re working together, and then for us to have a chance to keep up with the other guys, everything has to be perfect, right? Everything. In life, that’s not something you can ask for all the time.

    “I really do think I need to provide them with a better environment, facilitate it, so that they can show what they’re capable of. I’m sure of that. But the good thing is those tough times show the character, right? And then there’s no blame culture.”

    Engineering Focus: Downforce and Drivability Deficits

    Komatsu outlined the specific technical areas where the VF-24 is underperforming, confirming the engineering group has a clear diagnosis of the car’s shortcomings.

    “We looked at the problem: what’s the issue, where are we lacking downforce, why the drivability is not great, what are the drivers struggling with? We’re all on the same page, trying to fix the issue, trying to put performance on the car. But of course, again, that takes time.”

    He concluded with a message of resilience, drawing on the team’s recent history of overcoming adversity.

    “Lots of things we’re putting in place will take time for it to materialise, but we’ve just got to believe in ourselves, the teamwork, support each other, and we’ll get through it like we did the last two years.”

  • Esteban Ocon Defends Controversial Move on Alex Albon, Bemoans F1 Rule

    Esteban Ocon Defends Controversial Move on Alex Albon, Bemoans F1 Rule

    Esteban Ocon defended his controversial overtake on Alexander Albon during the Dutch Grand Prix and criticised the Formula 1 rule that sent him back behind the Williams driver for the second race start.

    Max Verstappen crashed out and Gabriel Bortoleto spun 360 degrees on the opening lap at a slightly damp Zandvoort circuit. As the yellow-flag zone ended, Ocon accelerated faster than Albon and moved into 13th place shortly after crossing the start-finish line. Albon objected to the move over the team radio.

    “I’m sorry, but what Esteban did is crazy,” Albon ranted on the radio. “He’s overtaking me in the middle of the crash.”

    Although Albon was not asked about the incident during his post-race media session, Ocon was questioned about the overtake and insisted that he had not breached the rules.

    “I overtook Alex, yeah, but I had the right, because it was green,”

    the Haas driver said. However, the grid for the second start was determined by the classification at the end of the first lap, making Ocon’s overtake irrelevant to the restart order.

    “What was a big shame is that you have to take all these risks, you know?” Ocon added. “You’re playing with either getting a penalty or not. I was not having a penalty, but it was very tight, because I just passed him when it was green. And then they put you back at the race start.

    “It’s been like that forever, but… Really, if that was 20 metres earlier, then I was having the place. But we still raced, like, for one-and-a-half sector. The red flag only came after Turn 5, you know? So, we passed sector one, and we were getting into sector two. So, I should have started in front of Alex – because that changed my race.”

    Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team — Photo by Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

    Ocon spent the early stages of the race behind Albon before making an early pit stop on lap 16 in an attempt to find clear air. He had returned to 14th when he retired on lap 53 with a power unit problem.

    “After that, obviously, there’s a lot of things that maybe we could have done differently, with strategy, etc,”

    the Frenchman admitted.

    “Fernando [Alonso] did a really, really good strategy, I don’t think we could have done the same one without degradation. But there are things that we can look into to do a better job.”

    Ocon said Formula 1 should be able to use a more current race classification when forming the grid for a restart, rather than relying on the order recorded at the end of the previous lap.

    “We are not going to believe that in Formula 1 we don’t have timing loops every 20 metres, you know? It’s a very old-school rule, really,”

    he continued.

    “I said it on the radio, let’s not make Alex go in front again at the restart. Because that should not be the case. And for some reason I felt it, that they were going to put him in front again. They still take the line, which is like two kilometres back. It shouldn’t be like that, it should be the last moment.”