Haas F1 Proves Mettle Ocon Set for 2025 Shift

Esteban Ocon to join Haas F1 in 2025, drawn by team’s solid track record and ambitious future plans.

Esteban Ocon explained that his decision to join Haas F1 for the 2025 season was clear given the team’s performance improvements this year.

The 27-year-old driver will leave Alpine at the end of the current season after five seasons with the Enstone-based team.

Of course, the Frenchman, who revealed he had considered leaving as early as the summer of 2023 amid the Rossi/Szafnauer turmoil, thoroughly explored the market and potential teams.

He was notably highly sought after by Audi F1.

“I’m very happy with my choice, I’m not going to talk about names or which teams,” he responded when asked about his options before signing for Haas F1.

“There were many discussions with many different teams, you know, since 2023. But now it’s official, and I can say one name and it will now remain as the one I’ve chosen.”

Why Haas F1? The new director of the American team, Ayao Komatsu, has worked with Ocon in the past, as a race engineer during his first F1 test with Lotus in 2014. And he has demonstrated his expertise in a short time.

“Well, the season confirms that what Ayao has put in place works, basically.”

“When you say something, but then you have the facts on the track to prove it, it’s very clear and very simple.”

“Ayao really convinced me with his words. He’s a person with a lot of Formula 1 experience. When we first spoke, he explained his plans for the future, which were very clear. They have a clear goal, which remains humble. Not boasting, which I also like.”

“But they have very clear plans to improve. They’ve already started, as you can see. This year, they’ve clearly improved their performance, the car itself. The plans are obviously quite ambitious and quite impressive for the future.”

“So, for me, it was clear to make this decision. I’m very happy with my choice and very happy with how we are going to move forward.”