Haas has secured Esteban Ocon on a multi-year contract, pairing him with rookie Ollie Bearman for the 2025 season.

This move comes after the announcement that Kevin Magnussen would be leaving the team at the end of the current season, opening up a seat that was up for grabs.

On the eve of the final race before the summer break in Belgium, Haas officially announced that Ocon would become the first Grand Prix winner to race for the team since their inception in 2016.

With 146 career starts, Ocon has driven for Manor, Force India, Renault, and Alpine, accumulating 425 points and achieving three podium finishes, including a win in Hungary in 2021.

Ocon’s history with Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu adds an intriguing layer to this partnership.

Komatsu, who engineered Ocon during his first F1 test with Lotus in 2014, expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m delighted we’ve secured Esteban Ocon’s services for Haas. I’ve been aware of his talents for a long time, and our personal history dates back to Esteban’s maiden run in a Formula 1 car. He displayed his talents back then and has since become an established talent and a Grand Prix winner. His experience and insight from working with a manufacturer team will be incredibly beneficial as we grow.”

Gene Haas, the team owner, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of having a driver with a proven track record: “Esteban’s proven himself as someone who’s continually in the mix and scoring points. We’re eager to leverage his consistency and experience to drive our performance gains on the track. With a blend of youth and experience in our future line-up, I’m excited to see the results.”

Ocon himself is equally enthusiastic about the move: “I’m joining a very ambitious team whose spirit and work ethic have truly impressed me. I’m grateful to Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for their trust and support. On a personal note, I’m thrilled to work with Ayao again, as he was part of my debut over ten years ago. Haas has exciting plans and clear targets for the future, and I’m eager to contribute to this great project.”

As Ocon and Bearman prepare for the 2025 season, the motorsport world will undoubtedly watch with keen interest to see how this new dynamic at Haas unfolds.

Photo Credits: Formula 1