The excitement surrounding Esteban Ocon’s highly anticipated debut with Haas in the F1 2025 season has been tempered by an unexpected issue during the team’s shakedown at Silverstone last weekend. The newly unveiled Haas VF-25, designed for the upcoming season, encountered damage on its maiden outing, raising questions about the car’s readiness for the intense demands of the F1 grid.
Ocon, who made the switch from Alpine to Haas over the winter, took the wheel for the first on-track testing session at the British Grand Prix venue. However, unlike McLaren and Williams, who shared extensive coverage and updates from their own car debuts, Haas kept a low profile, withholding official reports from the test. That didn’t stop eagle-eyed fans from capturing revealing images of the VF-25 in action, with one shot showing clear damage to the car’s right-hand sidepod, where the cover had been torn off.
Damage Under the Radar: A Hidden Setback
The cause of the sidepod damage remains a mystery, but sources suggest that the issue was addressed quickly, with the car appearing to continue its testing without further major problems. The fact that Haas opted to keep their cards close to their chest and not issue an official statement regarding the damage has only fueled speculation about the team’s approach to the season ahead. With just days to go before the official F1 2025 launch event, it’s clear that Haas has had to tackle some early hiccups as they push forward with their preparations.
F1 2025 Livery Drama: Haas Takes Risks Ahead of Launch
In a twist to the story, Haas also unveiled their full 2025 car livery at Silverstone, despite F1 teams being instructed to wait until the official season-launch event, held later today (Tuesday), to showcase their permanent designs. While McLaren and Williams complied with this directive by running special camouflage liveries, Haas made the bold move of revealing their full color scheme early.
The VF-25’s livery revealed at Silverstone gives fans a first look at what the team plans to present for the upcoming season, even though it may have breached the expected timeline. This was a risky but calculated move, suggesting that Haas is looking to generate some buzz and anticipation before the official launch.
VCARB Delays Shakedown Over Livery Concerns
Meanwhile, rumors have surfaced surrounding Red Bull’s junior team, VCARB, who have reportedly delayed their car shakedown. Initially scheduled for Monday at Imola, the team has opted to push back their debut until Wednesday, citing concerns over a potential leak of their livery design ahead of the F1 75 season launch. This delay is another sign of the tightly controlled atmosphere surrounding car reveals this season, with teams scrambling to keep their designs under wraps.
Williams’ Bold Move: New Look for 2025
Williams, on the other hand, made waves last week with their own camouflage livery, which bore a striking resemblance to their recent race car designs. However, the Grove-based team is expected to unveil a bolder, more striking look at today’s F1 75 event. The team has secured a major commercial deal with Australian company Atlassian, marking the first title sponsor for Williams in five years. Atlassian’s predominantly white and blue color scheme will undoubtedly influence the new look of Williams’ F1 2025 car, giving fans something exciting to look forward to.
Conclusion: Early Drama for Haas and the Road to 2025
As Esteban Ocon gets set to represent Haas in 2025, the damage to the VF-25 during its Silverstone shakedown serves as a reminder of the challenges teams face in the pre-season. With rivals like McLaren, Williams, and even VCARB adjusting their strategies and unveiling new liveries, it’s clear that every team is taking a unique approach to set the stage for the upcoming season. For Haas, the road to 2025 is already proving to be a tumultuous one, but with the right adjustments, they could find themselves in the thick of the action as the season progresses.