Why Esteban Ocon has decided to sign with Haas F1 for 2025
F1 News
Esteban Ocon will be a Haas driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season after announcing his contract on Thursday morning ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. The Frenchman will form a partnership with young British Oliver Bearman. Ocon has explained why he decided to move to Haas after leaving Alpine.
Ocon's move to Haas F1 had been in the air for some time. It was already known he was leaving Alpine at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season and so looked to find a seat elsewhere. Already in his career, Ocon has raced for Manor, Force India and Renault/Alpine.
Why did Ocon decide to move to Haas F1?
Ocon knows what he is heading into. "I’ll be joining a very ambitious racing team, whose spirit, work ethic, and undeniable upward trajectory has really impressed me. I’d like to thank Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for their trust and support, and for our honest and fruitful discussions these last few months," Ocon explained why he wanted to join Haas.
"On a more personal note, I’m very happy to be working with Ayao again, as he’s been a part of my debut when I first stepped into a Formula 1 car during my Lotus Junior days more than ten years ago. MoneyGram Haas F1 Team has exciting plans and clear targets for the future, and I’m very much looking forward to working with everyone in Kannapolis, Banbury and Maranello and being part of this great project.”
First, Ocon will complete the 2024 Formula 1 season with Alpine. The one-time Grand Prix winner is currently 18th in the World Championship after scoring three points. He is far behind current Haas drivers Nico Hulkenberg (11th) and Kevin Magnussen (16th).