Formula 1 ace, Esteban Ocon, recently shared that his new team, Haas, gifted him a ‘late Christmas present’ in the form of a modified steering wheel. The customized wheel caters to Ocon’s preference for a dual-paddle clutch system, which is a departure from the one-paddle system he was introduced to when he transferred from Alpine.
Ocon, who has a wealth of experience with a dual-paddle system, found it challenging and unsafe to adapt to the one-paddle configuration of Haas. The French driver expressed his relief and appreciation towards Haas for swiftly adjusting the clutch system to his specifications, a process he tested on the Bahrain International Circuit.
In a press conference with selected media outlets, including Motorsport Week, Ocon said, “There’s a lot of things that you need to adapt to and if you can’t adapt to what you have to adapt to, then you need to change things.” He continued, “So we’ve decided, for example, I got a complete new steering wheel with two clutch paddles. I’ve been working that way and I’ve tried the other way but I was struggling quite a bit and the team have managed to get me a late Christmas present, which has been good.”
Ocon’s teammate, Oliver Bearman, however, prefers the single-paddle clutch system. Bearman revealed his satisfaction with his personalized clutch, stating that it’s been working well for him thus far.
But for Ocon, the dual-paddle system is non-negotiable. He detailed the issues he faced with the single-paddle system, such as difficulty in maneuvering out of the garage and performing pit stops. Ocon also mentioned that the dual-paddle setup suits his driving style better.
He lauded Haas for their quick response to his requirements. He stressed the importance of a driver’s comfort with the steering wheel and clutch paddles, especially when transitioning to a new team. He said, “But those are the things visible, there’s a lot of things underneath in my position that we managed to really fix quickly, which has been good.”
Beyond the visible changes, Ocon revealed that several technical modifications were made to the steering wheel. These adjustments were done to mirror the specifications he’s been accustomed to for nearly a decade, even dating back to his stint with Force India.
This instance is a testament to Haas’s commitment to helping Ocon adapt to his new environment ahead of the 2025 F1 season. It’s clear that the team is eager to create a conducive and efficient workspace for their new recruit, Ocon, which could be a significant factor contributing to their success in the upcoming season.
