Ocon and Bearman discuss Haas’ need to address issues despite progress, while criticizing Red Bull’s swift decision on rookie Lawson.
Esteban Ocon is excited to head to Suzuka this weekend for the Japanese Grand Prix. The Haas F1 driver has a strong affinity for the iconic Japanese circuit and highlights that it’s a home race for the team’s Japanese director, Ayao Komatsu. This weekend presents an opportunity for the team to build on the progress seen in China while addressing the challenges faced in Australia.
“I love this circuit; it’s the highlight of my year. The support we get here is incredible, and it’s almost like our home race since our team director is Japanese!” said Ocon. “Shanghai was a positive weekend for us, and we’re feeling energized. However, we need to stay focused on improving ourselves.”
“We still need to fix the issues with the car. Just because we had a good race in China doesn’t mean we’ll be strong here, so we need to assess where we are. The car struggled with high-speed corners in Australia, and we lacked pace there, but we were among the fastest in some corners in China.”
“We should have a clearer picture later in the season, but we need to stay focused and keep Australia in mind because that’s where our weaknesses showed up, and this track is challenging.”
Ocon Criticizes Red Bull’s Lawson Demotion
When asked about Red Bull’s decision to demote Liam Lawson, Ocon expressed disappointment over the lack of support for the New Zealander: “It’s really tough; it’s not something any of us want to see or experience as a driver. We want to be supported during tough times, and we need time to fix our issues.”
“But I’m happy for Liam. He now has a competitive car, and he’s still in Formula 1, which is the most important thing—to be here and racing. It would be tragic if he were to leave the sport entirely, but this situation is unfair.”
Bearman Excited for Suzuka Debut
Oliver Bearman, meanwhile, is excited to experience Suzuka for the first time behind the wheel of an F1 car. “I’m really looking forward to racing here for the first time. I tested in Super Formula, which was an awesome experience. I loved the track, and it’ll be even better in Formula 1.”
“We’re not sure where the car stands performance-wise at the moment. China was a positive weekend for us, but we remain cautiously optimistic given our struggles in Australia. We’ve made some changes, and we’re hoping for a good weekend.”
While Lawson was demoted after just two races, Bearman lamented the lack of time given to the driver, especially in a high-pressure environment. “It’s a lot of pressure—two new circuits early in the season, the first time racing in the rain, although I had experience in Brazil last year. And in China, another new circuit, a Sprint weekend—it’s not easy for any of us.”
“It’s a quick decision after just two races, and I don’t agree with it. But it’s great that Liam can continue, because like all rookies, he faces a lot of pressure, and it’s good he gets a fresh start.”
Bearman Praises Team’s Support After Tough Weekend
The British driver praised the support he receives from his team: “They’ve been amazing. Australia was a tough weekend for me, but we bounced back in China, and they’ve been really supportive. The mechanics wished me the best, and the engineers did everything they could to help me perform at my best. I’m glad we bounced back because it’s tough to have a bad weekend, then follow it up with another one.”
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Bearman Criticizes Red Bull’s Quick Lawson Demotion
Bearman Criticizes Red Bull’s Quick Lawson Demotion
