Komatsu: "Nobody's satisfied" with Ocon's F1 2025

Haas F1 Team principal Ayao Komatsu has publicly acknowledged that Esteban Ocon’s performance during the 2025 Formula 1 season did not meet expectations. Ocon joined the team after a long tenure with Alpine, partnering with rookie Oliver Bearman.

A Season of Contrasts

Despite his ten years of Formula 1 experience – including race wins and podium finishes – Ocon was outperformed by his rookie teammate, Oliver Bearman, over the course of the 2025 season. Bearman accumulated 41 points to Ocon’s 38. Bearman also demonstrated a clear advantage in qualifying, outpacing Ocon in 17 of 28 sessions, excluding instances impacted by technical issues.

Did You Know? Esteban Ocon is a race winner and podium finisher in Formula 1, having competed in the series for ten years prior to joining Haas.

Komatsu noted that Ocon expressed dissatisfaction with the car’s behavior, particularly under braking. However, Komatsu suggested the issue stemmed from Ocon’s driving style, as Bearman did not report similar difficulties.

Challenges and Discrepancies

The disparity in performance was particularly noticeable at certain circuits, such as Baku, where Ocon struggled significantly in qualifying. While Baku proved to be a strong track for Bearman, Komatsu emphasized that Ocon’s difficulties were unexpectedly pronounced. Komatsu stated, “We didn’t expect Esteban’s worst day to be so far off.”

Expert Insight: The situation highlights the complex interplay between driver skill, car setup, and track characteristics in Formula 1. Successfully integrating a new driver into a team requires a collaborative process to identify and address performance gaps, and it appears Haas and Ocon struggled to achieve this consistently in 2025.

Ocon’s frustrations culminated in comments made to Canal+ at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he described feeling “like a rookie who’s never driven an F1 car” and lamented his inability to consistently deliver competitive lap times. Despite these struggles, Ocon demonstrated flashes of his potential, narrowly outqualifying Bearman and securing a seventh-place finish in the Abu Dhabi race.

Looking Ahead

Komatsu acknowledged that addressing the performance gap was a shared responsibility, stating that both the team and Ocon could have worked more effectively to resolve the issues. He believes that unlocking Ocon’s potential is crucial for Haas’s success, emphasizing the need for both drivers to contribute fully in the upcoming season. If the underlying issues persist, Haas may continue to see Bearman as the lead driver.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Oliver Bearman’s qualifying record against Esteban Ocon in 2025?

Oliver Bearman outqualified Esteban Ocon 17 times to 11, excluding qualifying sessions affected by technical issues.

What did Esteban Ocon say about his performance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?

Esteban Ocon told Canal+ that he “felt like a rookie who’s never driven an F1 car” and expressed his inability to put together a competitive lap.

What is Ayao Komatsu’s assessment of the situation?

Ayao Komatsu stated that nobody at Haas was satisfied with Esteban Ocon’s performance in 2025, given his experience and the fact that he was competing against a rookie.

How important is driver synergy and collaboration in achieving success in Formula 1?

Komatsu: “Nobody’s satisfied” with Ocon’s F1 2025