Haas is on the brink of a major transformation, with team boss Ayao Komatsu confirming serious talks with Esteban Ocon for the 2025 season.
Esteban Ocon, currently with Alpine, will be leaving his team after the 2024 season. With Nico Hulkenberg signed with Sauber and Kevin Magnussen’s contract expiring, Haas is gearing up for an all-new driver line-up. Team boss Ayao Komatsu revealed that Ocon is a ‘very realistic possibility’ for one of the seats.
Kevin Magnussen has faced a challenging season, scoring just one point in eight races and racking up more penalty points than championship points. His antics at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he collided with Sergio Perez and involved his teammate Hulkenberg in the aftermath, have put his future with Haas in jeopardy.
Several names are being considered for the Haas seats, including three-time Grand Prix winner Carlos Sainz, who seems to be leaning towards Williams, and F1 newcomer Oliver Bearman from the Ferrari academy. However, Ocon appears to be the frontrunner. Former F1 driver and Sky F1 pundit, Martin Brundle, believes Ocon’s move to Haas is highly probable.
During a press conference in Canada, Komatsu confirmed the team’s interest in Ocon, stating he wants a blend of youth and experience. This sentiment aligns with speculation about Bearman joining the team. ‘Not too far, not immediate, but not too far,’ Komatsu commented on the timing for the announcement, hinting that it could be anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months.
Komatsu emphasized the importance of experience and praised Ocon’s credentials: ‘He’s got a lot of experience. He’s a race winner, he’s got podium finishes, and he’s scored many points. He’s also worked with a few different teams so he’s got lots of experience, which is what we’re looking for but also he’s only 27, still very young. I think his commitment and work ethic is really, really good.’
In addition to Ocon, Komatsu mentioned that he is in talks with several current F1 drivers, both experienced and young. ‘He’s definitely one of the several I’m considering seriously,’ he said.
With an all-new driver line-up on the horizon, Haas is positioning itself for a fresh start in the 2025 season, and Esteban Ocon seems to be a key part of their plans.
Source: Planetf1
