Another disappointing weekend for Haas in the Belgian GP as potential remains unconverted into points. Both Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman faced strategic and operational challenges that hindered the team from capitalizing on their car’s performance.
Esteban Ocon expressed frustration with the team’s decisions, stating, “We had the pace today to score points with both cars. The pace was there.” However, a late pit stop for slick tires severely compromised his race. Additionally, using previously used medium tires in the last stint further hampered his performance. With a lower aerodynamic setup than his teammate, Ocon should have gained ground as the track dried, but the mistimed stop left him with a mountain to climb.
Oliver Bearman’s strategy also fell short, with points within reach but slipping away. After a pit stop, his car briefly went into “safe mode,” costing him three positions and making a top 10 finish nearly impossible. Despite showing competitiveness, Bearman struggled to overtake Tsunoda quickly, missing the chance to battle Gasly for the final point. Notably, Bearman has finished in 11th place in the last four Grand Prix races.
Team Principal Ayao Komatsu expressed frustration with the weekend’s outcome, especially feeling they should have scored points with Bearman. He highlighted Bearman’s strong pace and confidence in the car but acknowledged that the aerodynamic setup, while fast, made overtaking in traffic challenging, as unfortunately witnessed. Technical issues further hindered Bearman’s performance.
Regarding Ocon, Komatsu admitted to an “operational mistake” in the pit stop timing. Despite the setbacks, the Team Principal remains optimistic about the car’s potential, suggesting Haas may have the fifth fastest car on the track. Komatsu praised the team’s efforts and stressed the need to focus on the basics before the summer break. He believes that with precise execution, the team can score with both cars in the next race.
Despite setbacks, Haas has shown competitive pace in the midfield. The upcoming Grand Prix in Budapest presents a crucial opportunity for the team to address strategic and operational errors and turn potential into tangible results. Mastering tire management and adapting to the nuances of the Hungarian circuit, which demands precision driving, will be key to the team’s success before the summer break.
