Esteban Ocon is thrilled to join Haas F1 next season, eagerly awaiting this new chapter since the announcement of his move. His transfer from Alpine, where he has raced since 2020, comes after Alpine chose not to renew his contract. Despite initially seeming like a potential step down in the Formula 1 hierarchy, Ocon now sees it as an upgrade. Haas has emerged as a standout team this season, significantly outperforming Alpine and securing a high-profile partnership with Toyota, making Ocon’s transition to Haas look like a well-timed boost in his career trajectory.
Haas’s upward momentum has been one of the most surprising developments of the season. At the start of the year, a move from Alpine to Haas might have seemed risky. However, Haas has more than tripled Alpine’s points tally this season, proving itself to be a more competitive and resourceful team than anticipated. The recent partnership with Toyota strengthens Haas’s competitive stance, showing their commitment to growth and innovation. Ocon’s decision to announce his move in July now appears to have been a wise career move, aligning him with a team that is committed to long-term success.
Ocon’s excitement about the move also stems from his trust in Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu’s vision for the team. Before joining, Ocon was briefed on Komatsu’s ambitions for Haas, which involved pushing the team to the next level. This clear direction aligns with Ocon’s personal goals, giving him confidence that he’s joining a team with the right leadership to drive improvement. He admires Haas’s recent accomplishments, which he sees as setting an inspiring example in Formula 1, proving that with focused leadership, significant progress is achievable even for smaller teams.
Another factor Ocon appreciates is Haas’s straightforward organizational structure, contrasting Alpine’s more complex setup under Renault’s corporate management. Though he did not directly comment on Alpine, Ocon noted that Komatsu has full support and autonomy from both team owner Gene Haas and CEO Bob Murray. This level of trust allows Komatsu to lead decisively and guide the team’s direction without bureaucratic delays. Ocon finds this trust in Komatsu reassuring, as it enables Haas to be agile and adaptive, which he sees as critical to continuing their positive momentum.
Joining Haas will be a new milestone in Ocon’s career, marking his fourth team in Formula 1 after previous stints with Manor, Force India, and Renault/Alpine. Each team experience has given him unique insights into different organizational cultures and approaches. As he transitions into Haas, Ocon hopes to contribute meaningfully to their success while benefiting from their recent growth and ambitious goals. With his background and diverse experience, he’s well-positioned to make an impact as Haas aims to keep building on their recent achievements in the coming season.