Haas F1 targets Shanghai revival after Melbourne misery

After a dreadful season opener in Melbourne, Haas F1 heads to Shanghai’s Sprint weekend determined to bounce back and restore team pride.

Following a disastrous start in Australia, Haas F1 is aiming for a rebound this weekend in Shanghai, hosting the season’s first Sprint event. In Melbourne, the American team lacked pace, finishing at the back of the field. Esteban Ocon endured his race, while his young teammate Oliver Bearman crashed twice in free practice, turning his weekend into a nightmare.

Komatsu backs Ocon strength, expects Bearman comeback

Ayao Komatsu, Haas’s team principal, remains cautious yet determined:

“Melbourne was very tough, but Shanghai provides an immediate opportunity to make adjustments. The Chinese circuit is entirely different, with many slow corners and a long straight. We need to apply our learnings quickly and fine-tune our car to become competitive this weekend.”

The team boss particularly counts on Esteban Ocon, who delivered a solid race despite difficulties in Australia, and hopes Oliver Bearman will finally demonstrate his true potential.

“I have great faith in Esteban, who showed strong character despite adversity, and I’m confident Ollie will now show what he’s truly capable of.”

Bearman faces Shanghai Sprint pressure; Ocon optimistic

For Bearman, there is now little room for error: Shanghai’s Sprint format will give him very limited track time to find his rhythm, yet he remains enthusiastic:

“I’m really looking forward to racing in China! I visited last year as a reserve driver, and the track impressed me. This time I’ll be behind the wheel, and although it will be challenging with limited track time, I’m ready for it. The city is amazing, huge, and the fans have been very welcoming.”

As for Esteban Ocon, having moved past his disappointment in Australia, he now focuses on the technical demands of the Shanghai circuit:

“Shanghai is more challenging than it appears, especially turn one, which is fast and demanding for the driver. It’s great to have F1 back here after several years away. With the Sprint format, we’ll need to be efficient from the first laps. Personally, I enjoy it: two races to score points means double the pleasure and opportunities.”

This weekend in China will be crucial for Haas: either start fresh or face another setback. The answer awaits in Shanghai!