Esteban Ocon and rookie Bearman stunned the field in Bahrain, pushing Haas into fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship fight.
Ocon and Bearman deliver under pressure in an unexpected Bahrain success story
Haas F1 left Bahrain with big smiles and even bigger points. Esteban Ocon powered through the field to finish eighth, scoring for the second time in four races. Starting 14th after a crash in qualifying, the Frenchman admitted he didn’t expect such a result — but a strong race and bold strategy proved otherwise.
“It was a really great comeback,” said Ocon. “I was frustrated yesterday — I made a mistake and let the team down. We should have been in Q3, starting much higher. But if there’s a place to bounce back, it’s Bahrain.”
The team rolled the dice with an aggressive strategy that paid off. Ocon’s solid start and race pace were key, but he also had to keep his cool under pressure from faster cars late in the race — including Max Verstappen.
“There was a lot of pressure! When Max is behind, you know he’s going to go for it at any moment — you’re checking your mirrors every corner. I held him off for about 15 or 20 laps, which was good. Pierre [Gasly] and I were talking afterward — we both gave it everything, but Max still got through in the end. Still, we’re getting closer to the front, and that’s exciting.”
Despite Saturday’s disappointment, Ocon praised Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu for staying calm and believing in the car’s potential.
“Ayao was confident all weekend, even in qualifying when we used only two sets of tyres in Q1. He believed in our race pace — and he was right. His experience is showing. Before being a team boss, he was an excellent race engineer, and that mindset is making a big difference.”
Haas now finds itself in an unexpected but deserved fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship — a standout result for a team often considered a midfield underdog.
“It’s amazing,” Ocon smiled. “I think this might be the team’s best-ever start to a season. We should be proud — and this is just the beginning. The others won’t stand still, so we’ll need to fight every time we’re on track.”
Rookie Oliver Bearman also delivered a standout performance, charging from the back of the grid to tenth place and grabbing a crucial extra point for the team.
“That was a great race,” said Bearman. “I was flying in those last 20 laps. I had a Mercedes behind me putting on pressure, and I just had to stay focused. Scoring a point after yesterday’s tough qualifying feels awesome.”
The safety car played a part in his recovery, but Bearman made the most of it with smart driving and resilience.
“We got a bit lucky with the safety car, but I had a strong first stint. The second stint on hard tyres was tough — I was the only one on hards at that time — but I managed to hold on. That’s not easy when you’ve got faster cars all around you. I’m proud of the drive, and the team was incredible today.”
With smart decisions, sharp driving, and a car that’s proving surprisingly competitive, Haas F1’s 2025 campaign is off to an exciting start — and they’re showing they’re ready to scrap with the best of the midfield.
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Ocon and Bearman Lead Haas to Fifth in Standings
Ocon and Bearman Lead Haas to Fifth in Standings
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