Esteban Ocon delighted to join Haas: “It was an obvious decision”
Esteban Ocon is more than convinced that he's made the right choice in setting his sights on Haas. The Frenchman spoke to Ayao Komatsu, who convinced him to take the plunge and sign up with the American team.
It is a very cheerful and relaxed Esteban Ocon that we discovered in a press interview this Thursday, just a few hours after his official announcement at Haas in a multi-year contract. Obviously, all the questions were focused on this latest news. The Frenchman immediately assured – and repeated many times – that he was sure and completely satisfied with his choice.
In the new Alpine motorhome, the Frenchman revealed that discussions with the Haas team had started as early as mid-season 2023. This conversation began quite some time ago, as early as mid-season 23. It was really at that moment that things started, he specified. It is the team principal Ayao Komatsu, with his considerable experience in Formula 1, who managed to convince Ocon to join the team.
Ocon highlighted the importance of Ayao’s clear plans for the future. “When we sat down for the first time, he explained his plans for the future to me, which were very clear. They have a specific goal, which remains humble, without bragging, which I also appreciate,” he said.
Haas has already started to show improvements this year, which also influenced Ocon’s decision. They have clearly improved their performances. The car itself and the plans are obviously quite big and impressive for the future, he added.
Her future relationship with Oliver Bearman
Regarding the transition to a smaller team, Ocon sees this as an opportunity rather than a constraint. He explained that he has experience with teams of various sizes, having raced with Force India and worked with Mercedes.
« Haas is doing an incredible job right now. They have around 300 people working at the moment, but they are outperforming teams double, triple, quadruple their size, which is remarkable and the future plans are also very attractive,” he noted.
In the end, Ocon is optimistic about the future with Haas. « For me, it was obvious, as I said, to make this decision. I am very happy with my choice and very happy with how we are going to move forward », he concluded, expressing his enthusiasm for this new chapter in his Formula 1 career.
He finally spoke out about his relationship with his future teammate, young F2 driver and reserve Oliver Bearman, whom he talked to for the first time… During the Hungarian Grand Prix. It will be the first time in his career that he will have the role of the “veteran” driver. « It was bound to happen at some point, I suppose. Things change. I have always been the youngest. I felt it when I arrived in each category. But things change and time flies by. »
Esteban Ocon, however, believes that Bearman does not need his help. “I don’t think Oli needs my help for anything. He probably has more experience with the team than me next year. He has driven a lot in FP1, also in testing. I will probably have to ask him a lot more questions than I will have to give him advice,” he smiled.
