Esteban Ocon has declared that drivers are not the root of the difficulties facing the struggling Haas F1 team, a stance he made amid a season of inconsistent results for the VF‑26.
Ocon Critiques Car Issues Rather Than Drivers
During a post‑race interview, Ocon acknowledged that the vehicle’s unpredictability remains a concern, saying the team’s management, Ocon and his teammate Oliver Bearman “are very aware of” the consistency problem. He added that when the car is in a stable state, the drivers can deliver full performance, but a deficit in power or reliability hampers the start of the weekend and places the team at a strategic disadvantage.
He noted that the latest aerodynamic updates introduced at Monza were “positive” yet did not resolve the underlying variability. Despite this, a three‑consecutive Q2 terminator still indicates marginal improvement, with Ocon feeling he extracted every ounce of speed the machine could offer.
Performance Gap Between Ocon and Bearman Persists
Ocon’s season statistics reveal a clear disparity from his teammate: the Swiss driver’s qualifying numbers stand at 12‑6 compared to Bearman’s 6‑12, while points tally 18–3 in the former’s favour, largely due to Bearman’s strong finishes at the season’s start. Since the April break, the trend reversed slightly, with Ocon’s points ahead by 2–1, though the overall difference remains modest across Grand Prix races.
The single race margin appears in Hungary, where Bearman was affected by the car’s inconsistency and Ocon finished just one race behind. Ocon confirmed that he has felt this variability in 10 of 13 rounds, underlying the team’s persistent mechanical heartbeat.
Ocon also pointed out that the implications of conceding power are clearer when chasing a deficit. “Once the weekend begins with a performance gap, it becomes harder to catch up,” he said. “This is the situation we are in, and we are working hard to eradicate those issues at the start line.”
Team’s Reserve Driver Tests Signal Intense Selection Process
In light of the uncertain future of a 30‑year‑old Russian driver, Haas has been conducting tests with potential replacements at Portimão after the recent rain‑delayed event. The group evaluated reserve drivers Ryo Hirakawa, McLaren’s Leonardo Fornaroli—the reigning Formula 2 champion—and Ferrari‑junior Rafael Camara.
Ocon dismissed the test as a formality, insisting that the car’s faults are not linked to him or Bearman. When questioned about his own contractual affairs, he confirmed that discussions regarding a 2027 future are in the early stages, emphasizing his commitment to the project he signed with the team and principal Ayao in 2025.
He highlighted the importance of a Technical Development Programme for the drivers, citing it as a key revenue driver and a signal of the team’s intent to keep the driving lineup flexible until a definitive decision is made.
Haas Faces Long Pointless Streak Amid Rising Pressure
With a seven‑round points drought—its worst streak since 2021—Haas is under heightened scrutiny. The mixed fortunes of the VF‑26 and the limited points haul have placed the Hungarian manufacturer in a precarious position, as the team’s morale and funding could be jeopardised if the trend continues.
Despite these challenges, Ocon remains focused on maximizing the vehicle’s potential: “The car can perform when primed, and that’s the direction we’re pushing in.” He maintains that the team’s synergy and engineering focus are paramount to reversing the current slump.
Under these circumstances, Ocon’s comments stake a case that the problem lies outside driver skill, and that a concerted effort to iron out car reliability will be critical for Haas hoping to re-enter the points and save the season’s outlook.
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