Esteban Ocon starts fresh with Haas F1, eager to race but staying patient as he assesses the team’s true performance.
Ocon is stepping into a new chapter this weekend as he makes his debut with Haas F1. After a focused winter of preparation, the Frenchman is eager to hit the track in his new colors.
“The Real Test Begins”
“It’s an exciting time—our first real chance to see where we stand,” Ocon said. “Testing is fun, but racing is another level. I can’t wait. Sometimes, testing feels long because you never really know who’s holding back or pushing to the limit.”
Now, there’s no hiding. With the season kicking off in Melbourne, Ocon is ready to see how Haas stacks up. “Everyone will be pushing this weekend. The atmosphere here at Albert Park is incredible—the support gives us a real boost. I’m looking forward to it.”
Keeping Expectations in Check
Ocon, however, remains measured when it comes to Haas’ place in the pecking order. “I won’t give you anything!” he laughed when asked about their competitiveness. “I’m patient. By tomorrow evening, after FP2, we’ll have a better idea. That’s when teams start to push.”
One thing he’s sure about? He’s happy to be racing again. “Life is good! We’re done with testing—it’s a lot of work, but nothing beats being back in competition. This is what I love: preparing for a race, fighting for positions. That’s why I’m here.”
Finding His Place at Haas
Ocon has also settled well into his new environment. “I’ve found a big family at Haas. It’s a smaller team than I was used to, but everyone is passionate, competitive, and wants to do their best in every department. They take pride in success, and so do I. It’s great to see that mindset across the whole team—Ayao [Komatsu] has really instilled that.”
Bearman’s Big Moment
Meanwhile, Oliver Bearman is preparing for his first full season in F1. The young Brit is cautiously optimistic about Haas’ performance. “It’s tough to judge where we stand against our rivals. We’ve followed a similar plan to last year, and we’re happy with our progress. But we’ll only know for sure once we compare with others on track.”
Bearman is relieved to have a full season to grow and prove himself. “It’s nice knowing I have multiple race weekends to develop. I don’t have to prove everything in one go—I have time to gain experience, and I want to enjoy the process.”
Despite no longer officially being a rookie, Bearman still sees himself as one. “I hope I can still be called a rookie! It’s a bit harsh not to, considering I’ve only done three races. This is my first full season, my first time doing Sprints. I’ve got a lot to learn, and I’m excited to get more races under my belt.”
The British Connection
Bearman joins a strong British presence on the grid alongside Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Alex Albon, who races under the Thai flag but holds British nationality.
“It’s great to have so many Brits in F1—it shows the strength of British motorsport from karting all the way up. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve this weekend.”
As the lights go out in Melbourne, Ocon and Bearman are both ready for their next big challenge.
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Ocon’s Haas Era Begins: Cautious but Confident in F1 Ocon’s Haas Era Begins: Cautious but Confident in F1
