The 2025 Formula 1 season didn’t exactly hit the ground running for Haas, as the team found itself at the tail end of the timing charts in both Friday practice sessions at the Australian Grand Prix. Despite a strategy of high-fuel run plans and avoiding qualifying simulations in pre-season testing, a tactic that served them well in the previous year, their performance in Australia spoke volumes about the team’s vulnerabilities.
An optimistic Esteban Ocon, one of Haas’ drivers, expressed confidence in the team’s strategy heading into the Grand Prix. While acknowledging that testing had revealed certain shortcomings, he insisted that the team had identified the necessary areas for improvement. Speaking to select press outlets, including Motorsport Week, Ocon said, “From the first day, we’ve managed to put the finger on where we needed to improve, and that’s good.”
However, the Australian Grand Prix brought with it a harsh reality check for the team. Oliver Bearman, another Haas driver, suffered a significant crash during the FP1 practice session, resulting in his VF-25 car sliding off the track and into the barriers. The vehicle needed substantial repairs, including a change of gearbox and engine, and Bearman was unable to participate in the second practice session.
While Ocon maintained a positive outlook, his performance in the practice sessions was far from encouraging. The Frenchman finished 19th in both sessions, indicating that the Banbury-based team still had some way to go in addressing the issues highlighted in the pre-season testing.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu admitted to being taken aback. He expressed disappointment at the team’s inability to understand the root cause of their lack of competitiveness due to Bearman’s crash. “Today was a pretty difficult day; it wasn’t the performance we were expecting,” he said, adding that the team would need to regroup and strive for a better showing.
Bearman, meanwhile, attributed his crash to his aggressive approach, admitting that he may have pushed too hard too early. In contrast, Ocon remained hopeful, pointing out that the car had shown improvement from the first to the second practice session. “Yes, it doesn’t look shiny on the timing page, that’s very true, but the car improved quite well from FP1 to FP2,” he stated.
The true test for Haas, however, lies ahead. With no qualifying runs during testing, it’s unclear whether their Friday performance was an accurate reflection of their potential or a harbinger of more challenges to come. One thing is certain: the team will be keen to make a strong comeback in the qualifying rounds. Only time will tell if Haas is ready to bounce back from their testing failures or if the Australian GP practice has exposed weaknesses that could prove detrimental to their season.
