Haas has confirmed its all-new driver line-up for next year. Esteban Ocon will join the team from Alpine to drive alongside the previously announced rookie Oliver Bearman.
Team principal Ayao Komatsu has a long history with Ocon, having been his race engineer when he had his first run in a Formula 1 test with Lotus (now Alpine) in Valencia 10 years ago.
“He displayed his talents back then coming off the back of strong performances in the junior categories,” said Komatsu. “He’d just won the 2014 European Formula 3 championship.
“Esteban’s gone on to become an established talent in Formula 1 and of course a grand prix winner. The experience he brings, not just from his own talent base but also from working for a manufacturer team, will be advantageous to us in our growth as an organisation.”
Haas already confirmed the departures of current drivers Nico Hulkenberg, to Sauber, and Kevin Magnussen, whose 2025 plans are yet to be confirmed. Komatsu said he wanted an experienced driver to partner Bearman, who will make his debut as as a full-time driver next year.
“It was vital we had a driver with experience in beside Oliver Bearman next year, but Esteban’s only 27 – he’s still young with a lot to prove as well,” said Komatsu. “I think we have a hungry, dynamic driver pairing and I look forward to welcoming Esteban.”
Ocon arrived in F1 with Manor in the middle of the 2016 season. He moved to Force India the following year and spent two seasons there until Lawrence Stroll purchased the team and replaced Ocon with his son Lance.
After a year out of F1, Ocon returned with Renault, which became Alpine in 2021. He scored his first victory that year at the Hungaroring but confirmed his plans to leave earlier this year
Ocon said he was “thrilled” to join the “very ambitious” Haas team. “I’m very happy to be working with Ayao again, as he’s been a part of my debut when I first stepped into a Formula 1 car during my Lotus junior days more than ten years ago.”
Komatsu took over as Haas team principal at the beginning of the year. The team finished last in the championship but currently lies seventh in the standings. Ocon said the team has “exciting plans and clear targets for the future.”
View the current list of 2025 F1 drivers and teams
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