Esteban Ocon expands on signing with Haas after being sold on the F1 project by Ayao Komatsu, as he also adds on Mercedes snub.
The news of Ocon joining Haas from 2025 F1 season onward did not surprise many when it was finally announced ahead of the Belgian GP weekend. Upon the announcement, the Frenchman revealed that the talks already kick-started in the mid of 2023.
Having worked with Komatsu during his first F1 test with Lotus, Ocon had a good relationship with the Japanese veteran. That started the talks and the Haas team boss managed to sell the project nicely to the Frenchman, who wanted change.
The clear goals and lines to achieve them impressed Ocon which more or less formalised his mind to join Haas. Moving on from a manufacturer outfit to a private outfit doesn’t scare him, having raced for privateer team like Force India in the past.
Ocon doesn’t talk about the investments to come the Haas way, while also didn’t wish to dwell on why he didn’t go for Mercedes with whom he has ties with, especially since Toto Wolff is the Frenchman’s go-to person to discuss deals and things.
Opting for Haas –
Ocon: “Yes, there’s been obviously a lot of conversation going around the paddock that is quite clear, this conversation, they started quite a long time ago, already mid season of
2023. That’s really when things started, but Ayao really convinced me with his words. He’s a person that has a lot of experience in Formula 1, that I’ve been working, my first steps into Formula 1 as well, when I was testing for the first time, 10 years ago, and I even know him from a lot longer than that. So, when we sat down for the first time, he explained me about his plans going forward. The plans were very clear. Team Haas have a clear target, which is still in humble terms.
“Not showing off, which, it’s what I like as well. But they have very clear plans of improving where they are from, and they are already starting that, as you can see this year, they’ve been clearly improving their performance, the car itself. And the plans are obviously quite big and quite impressive looking forward. So yeah, it was a decision that, obviously, I took that I’m very happy with. I’m very excited. It’s a great challenge, a new adventure for me, after five years with this team. I look forward to finish this season on the high as best as I can for the team and start the collaboration next year.”
Smaller team, results –
Ocon: “I’ve had experience with both ends, racing with Force India back then, working with Mercedes later on and working here, and then I will be working with Haas in the future. They are doing an incredible job at the moment. They are about three hundreds [staff] working so far, but they are doing better than teams with double, triple, quadruple the size which is remarkable. And the plans going forward are also very appealing. I look forward. The results does confirm what Ayao is putting in place, basically of course, when you say something, but then you have the facts on track – it’s just very clear and very straightforward. So, to me, it was a no-brainer, as I said, to take that decision. I’m very happy with my choice and very happy with how we are going to move forward.”
Investment promise –
Ocon: “You can ask him that. You know, it’s not my position to talk about that. I am aware of the project going forward. And as I said, they look good to me. And I trust what Ayao is going to decide, obviously with Gene. they are competitors, they want to move forward. I am a competitor, I want to be moving forward and improving every time I step in the car. We were very much in line with our thought process.
Mercedes snub –
Ocon: “I’m very happy with my choice. I’m not going to speak about names or which teams. There were many discussions with many different teams since 2023. But now it’s official, and I can say one name and that will remain.”
Here’s Esteban Ocon signing with Haas
Here’s Esteban Ocon getting his race-winning Alpine
Here’s Haas extending deal with Ferrari
Here’s Oliver Bearman opening up on his F1 deal
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