Ayao Komatsu doesn’t think motivation has been ever a problem for Esteban Ocon in his F1 career, as he notes that it was a big reason to sign him.
After years spent at Alpine, Ocon was simply done with the F1 outfit as he started to look around for a seat. His talks with Haas started fairly early and it was eventually done with by the middle of 2024 season when he announced his departure from the French team for 2025 and beyond.
After few weeks of wait, Ocon confirmed his move to Haas. That move started early after a surprise end with Alpine after the Qatar GP. The offer was made to skip Abu Dhabi GP and start the with American F1 team in the post-season test at the same venue, which he took it up.
It allowed Alpine to field Jack Doohan early before his 2025 start. In the lead-up to the Qatar GP, Ocon was fairly frustrated. The up result in Brazil seemed like a distant memory after string of troubles, when teammate Pierre Gasly continued his fine form to help the team clinch sixth.
Ocon’s motivation was questioned as well, but his new F1 boss Komatsu doesn’t think that motivation has ever been a problem for the Frenchman. The race winner eventually started with Haas in Abu Dhabi and is now formally it driver at the onset of January 1 of 2025.
“I think he’s always been really motivated anyway, that’s one of the big reasons why I signed him,” said Komatsu to media. “He’s a really determined character and his work ethic is good – regardless of if the car is quick enough or slow.
“Like at the beginning of the 2024 season, when Alpine was absolutely nowhere, I think he was still putting lots of effort in to motivate the team, to try to move the team forward. I really respect that. So I don’t think motivation has ever been his problem,” summed up Komatsu.
Here’s Kevin Magnussen on Haas discussions
Here’s Kevin Magnussen on moments, Ayao Komatsu
Here’s Nico Hulkenberg, Kevin Magnussen on their relation change
Here’s Nico Hulkenberg on consistency, Ayao Komatsu
Here’s link to a F1 Discord channel, join in to interact