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Esteban Ocon faces fierce rookie challenge at Haas: can he reclaim his F1 glory?

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
December 23, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Esteban Ocon faces fierce rookie challenge at Haas: can he reclaim his F1 glory?

Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 3, 2025 Haas' Esteban Ocon ahead of the sprint race REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo

Title: Esteban Ocon Faces Unexpected Rivalry as Haas Struggles in 2025 Formula 1 Season

In a shocking twist within the high-octane world of Formula 1, Esteban Ocon, the seasoned French driver, finds himself in a fierce battle against a rookie at Haas, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Gene Haas, the team principal, touted Ocon as a seasoned contender, stating, “Esteban’s proved himself in the teams he’s raced for as someone who’s continually in the mix and scoring points.” But as the 2025 season unfolds, the reality is far more complicated.

Entering his ninth year in Formula 1, Ocon was expected to be Haas’ guiding star alongside the promising yet inexperienced Oliver Bearman, a young talent nurtured by Ferrari. However, the season kicked off with a disheartening blow as Ocon qualified a dismal 19th in Melbourne. Both Haas VF-25 cars languished at the bottom of the grid, failing to make an impact under the chequered flag.

Despite the rocky start, there was a glimmer of hope when Ocon managed to snag a fifth-place finish in the Chinese Grand Prix—albeit through a twist of fate as both Ferrari drivers were disqualified. The inconsistency continued, with Ocon alternating between disappointing Q1 exits and surprising Q3 appearances in Miami and Monaco, punctuated by a rare crash in Bahrain that left fans and team members alike stunned.

While Ocon initially held the upper hand, racking up 27 points compared to Bearman’s eight by the summer break, the tables soon turned. The rookie Bearman began to shine, outpacing Ocon in qualifying sessions, finishing with a staggering 15-5 advantage in the latter half of the season. Ocon’s struggle to adapt to the VF-25’s handling became increasingly evident, leading him to express his frustration publicly. “I feel like a rookie who’s never driven an F1 car,” he lamented in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the “instability” that plagued his performance.

Team principal Ayao Komatsu weighed in, stating that the issues stemmed from Ocon’s driving style rather than the car itself. “The best chance is for you to drive around it, find a way to drive around it,” Komatsu advised, underscoring the challenges Ocon faced in keeping pace with his rookie teammate.

As the season progressed, Ocon’s points tally dwindled to a mere 11 after the summer break, while Bearman surged ahead with 33 points, ultimately finishing just three points shy of his more experienced teammate—a reality Ocon openly described as “difficult to swallow.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the pressure is mounting for Ocon to reclaim his status as a leading driver within Haas and demonstrate his ability to consistently score points. With Bearman’s performance only expected to improve, Ocon must dig deep to find the pace that once defined his career.

However, it isn’t all doom and gloom for the Frenchman. Despite his struggles, Ocon has showcased a commendable team spirit this season. He described the environment at Haas as “healthier” compared to his previous team, Alpine, and revealed he had developed a strong rapport with Bearman. In a surprising gesture of camaraderie during the Belgian Grand Prix, Ocon even allowed Bearman to pass when he struggled with a low-downforce setup in wet conditions, a move that team principal Komatsu praised: “I didn’t even have to give a team order. Esteban let Ollie pass by himself. That’s the answer [to questions about Ocon’s reputation].”

As the dust settles on a tumultuous 2025 season, all eyes will be on Esteban Ocon as he gears up for a crucial year ahead. Can he rise to the challenge and reclaim his position as a top driver in the cutthroat world of Formula 1? Only time will tell.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-formula-1-seasonesteban-oconsfranziska-haasOliver Bearman
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