Esteban Ocon takes well-deserved fifth place in China
Haas defied the odds at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday morning, with solid performances from both drivers. Esteban Ocon, in particular, made his mark with a fifth-place finish, his best result of the season.
Thanks to a well-executed strategy and a bold overtake on Kimi Antonelli, Esteban Ocon was able to take advantage of the circumstances, particularly after the disqualification of the Ferraris, and climbed to fifth position.
This result marks a turning point for Haas, who has struggled to break into the top 10 since the beginning of the season. The French driver has emerged as the best representative of the midfield teams, positioning himself behind Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren. His perfect tire management and controlled attack on the rookie, Antonelli, made his performance one of the standout moments of the weekend.
Ocon impresses with a bold overtake on Kimi Antonelli
On the 14th lap, freshly out of the pits, Esteban Ocon finds himself behind Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes. The Italian closes the door on the inside, making any overtaking attempt risky. But the Frenchman does not shy away from the challenge: he dares to place two wheels on the grass, maintains impeccable control, and brakes late to sneak inside. A spectacular maneuver that allows him to take the advantage and hold his position until the checkered flag.
Initially set on a two-stop strategy, Haas ultimately changed their approach due to low tire degradation. This strategic choice proved to be successful, allowing the Haas driver to gain positions and convert his seventh place into fifth, particularly after the post-race disqualifications of the two Ferraris.
“It was a lot of stress because it was not our initial plan. We expected more deterioration, but in the end, the car proved to be very competitive. We were able to react and adapt our strategy in the middle of the race,” said the Frenchman on Canal+.
A positive result for the rest of the season
This result brings a breath of fresh air to Haas and Esteban Ocon, who finally sees the true potential of his car. After a difficult start to the season, this fifth place in China shows that the team is capable of competing with the midfield and capitalizing on opportunities.
« We were lacking a bit of speed on the straight, but it’s a nice progression compared to Melbourne. This proves that we know where we’re going. »
