Haas has announced that Esteban Ocon will join the team next season on a long-term agreement in a move that is suitable based on the parties’ circumstances.
Ocon was widely expected to be announced as a Haas driver after it was revealed that his longstanding partnership with Alpine would not continue after this season.
The French driver has been associated with the Enstone-based team since 2016 and has been a full-time member since 2020, but without achieving the desired progress.
Despite a memorable victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix and three podium finishes, Alpine has been unable to fully utilize its status as a works team to compete with the top teams in Formula 1.
The beginning of this season saw Alpine struggle, reaching its lowest point since Renault’s return to the sport in 2016, as they entered the opening race with the slowest car.
This disastrous start resulted in the resignations of Technical Director Matt Harman and Head of Aero Dirk de Beer, followed by the departure of long-time consultant Bob Bell.
Alpine’s struggles are exemplified by their decision to turn to the past in a desperate attempt to improve their position in Formula 1, appointing Flavio Briatore as Executive Advisor.
Briatore is believed to be the driving force behind Alpine’s likely switch to Mercedes power units as they have reached a breaking point with their current Renault setup.
However, Ocon, who is managed by Mercedes, will not be part of Alpine’s future partnership with the Mercedes team, as he will be joining Haas, powered by Ferrari.
The writing has been on the wall since Ocon caused a controversial collision with teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco, which led to reports that he could be sidelined.
Alpine Team Principal Bruno Famin, who will be the next to step down, was furious with the incident, which resulted in Ocon retiring from the race and nearly compromising Gasly’s chances.
The recent crash highlighted Ocon’s questionable history with teammates, as he has previously been involved in conflicts with Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso. Haas’ decision to bring on rookie Oliver Bearman has sparked discussions about Ocon’s tendency to push the boundaries when racing wheel-to-wheel. However, it is important to note that Ocon is not solely to blame for instances where two cars on the same team make contact. Focusing too much on his teammate clashes overlooks the exceptional qualities that Ocon brings as a driver. Haas has seen the benefits of having a driver who pushes the limits through Nico Hulkenberg’s performances since joining the team. With Hulkenberg leaving for Sauber and Haas transitioning into Audi in 2026, the team is fortunate to have found a more than capable replacement in Ocon. Like Hulkenberg, Ocon has the ability to perform under pressure during qualifying sessions, exceeding expectations and securing favorable positions on the grid. Ocon has also proven his ability to convert these opportunities into points, helping Alpine to lead the midfield pack in 2022. As Williams boss James Vowles, who has worked closely with Ocon at Mercedes, noted earlier this month, a driver who can match Fernando Alonso’s skill level is a valuable asset. Despite Alonso facing challenges with an unreliable A522 car in his last season with Alpine, Ocon never failed to hold his own against the experienced Spaniard.
Despite enduring a season on the sidelines in 2018 when he lost his seat at Force India, Ocon has still accumulated 146 career F1 starts across three different teams.
Komatsu has been vocal about Ocon’s suitability as a rookie driver, citing his age of 27 and extensive experience as key factors.
Bearman has impressed during his time with Haas, particularly when he stepped in for Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and successfully held off pressure from fellow Brits Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton to finish in seventh place.
While Bearman is expected to face challenges during his debut F1 season, Haas is confident in having a reliable and experienced teammate like Ocon to support his development.
In addition to the immediate benefits Ocon brings, the departure of Kevin Magnussen has disappointed him as Haas continues to grow as a team.
Despite being the smallest team on the grid, Haas has consistently outperformed its more established competitors, showcasing its ability to compete at a high level.
Komatsu sees Ocon’s arrival as a step towards long-term improvement, highlighting his experience with a manufacturer team as a valuable asset for Haas’ growth.
“It was crucial to have an experienced driver alongside Oliver Bearman next year, and Esteban, at only 27 years old, still has a lot to prove,” Komatsu said.
Ocon’s decision to join Haas instead of a rebuilding Williams team or the Sauber/Audi venture is a testament to the progress the team has made under Komatsu’s leadership, eradicating the failures of the past.
Although Haas initially expected to struggle this season, the VF-24 has proven to be more competitive than anticipated, currently sitting in seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship, just six points behind RB.
One of the factors that attracted Ocon to Haas was the team’s commitment to development under Komatsu, as opposed to previous seasons where they tended to regress.
With the upcoming changes in technical regulations in 2025, Haas is well-positioned to be competitive in the future, especially with the addition of a rejuvenated Ocon on a long-term contract.
Haas can now look forward to the next era of F1 with confidence, knowing that they have a driver capable of achieving the team’s ambitions.
Photo from Esteban Ocon Instagram
