Haas F1 Team Defies the Odds: From Last Place to Midfield Contenders!
In a stunning twist of fate, the Haas F1 Team has showcased an extraordinary transformation at the start of the 2025 season. Esteban Ocon, one of the team’s drivers, has openly acknowledged the incredible strides made by Haas, yet emphasizes that the journey to regain full confidence is far from over.
The season kicked off with Haas exhibiting strong performance during pre-season testing. However, their on-track reality at the Australian Grand Prix was a harsh contrast, as they found themselves lagging at the back of the grid without competing for points in what was a tumultuous race. Just a week later, the narrative shifted dramatically as Haas clinched a double points finish in China. This remarkable comeback saw them climb from initial positions of seventh and tenth to a commendable fifth and eighth, thanks to post-race penalties affecting competitors.
Ocon, reflecting on the rollercoaster start to the season, remarked, “We need to stay on top of our game. The confidence is not yet there, because it’s only race two and we’ve been swinging in performance from bottom of the bottom to midfield to now top of the midfield.” His caution underscores the team’s awareness of the volatility in their performance, urging a focus on internal optimization and future consistency.
The engineering team at Haas has been working tirelessly, analyzing every aspect of their car’s performance to extract untapped potential. Ocon expressed his admiration for the team’s relentless efforts, stating, “Not that many days ago, we were dead last in Melbourne and it was looking difficult. But, we didn’t sleep much — we couldn’t eat very much, in the words of Ayao [Komatsu, team principal] — but it was all worth it, because we discussed everything about where to unlock that performance from the car.”
This dedication has paid off, with Ocon praising his team’s commitment and highlighting the collective effort from both the Maranello and Banbury bases. “Obviously, it’s a good surprise to see that we still can improve some more, and that’s where we are. So, it’s very good signs. But honestly, amazing turnaround from the team — proud of everyone back in Maranello and Banbury. I think they’ve done an amazing job putting their hearts into it and trying to find solutions.”
The spotlight also shone on Ollie Bearman, whose strategic prowess in the Sprint race contributed significantly to the team’s success. His ability to recover positions exemplified the team’s skillful execution of race strategies. Ocon concluded with optimism, “Double points for us is a massive thing. He was out of position [in the Sprint] and it’s really great to see him coming back on an alternate strategy as well. We’ve made it work, and it’s great to see. So, hopefully only the beginning.”
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Haas to see if they can maintain this momentum and continue their ascent in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.
