Haas boss Ayao Komatsu admits he may be ‘wrong’ about 2025 driver signing

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Haas are the first Formula 1 team to name a brand-new driver line-up for the 2025 season. Esteban Ocon will partner the rookie Oliver Bearman in an exciting but risky combination.

Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu knew they would have to make a change in the spring when Nico Hulkenberg signed for Audi. Haas ‘didn’t like’ Hulkenberg forcing his hand so early in the season, but he did at least have time to assess his options.

The first driver he signed was Bearman. The 19-year-old made a name for himself in F1 when he won driver of the day on debut.

Bearman replaced the unwell Carlos Sainz at Ferrari and finished seventh, the best result for a debutant since 2015. But Haas have also been impressed with his FP1 outings as part of his reserve driver role.

They then had to decide whether to retain the out-of-contract Kevin Magnussen in the other car. Magnussen has racked up an F1-high 10 penalty points this season, which may have counted against him.

Haas announced last month that they would part ways with the Dane. And a week later, they confirmed the arrival of Ocon following his Alpine exit.

Ayao Komatsu accepts Esteban Ocon move may prove to be ‘naive’

Ocon arrives at Haas looking for a career reset. While he’s leading Pierre Gasly 9-4 in qualifying and 7-4 in the races this year, it’s been a damaging year for his reputation.

The 27-year-old hit his teammate on the first lap of the Monaco Grand Prix, sustaining race-ending damage and nearly taking Gasly out too. This incident, his sixth intra-team collision during his F1 career, has led many to question his attitude.

Team principal Komatsu shares a close relationship with Ocon. He worked as an engineer at Lotus back when the Frenchman was a test driver.

But speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, he acknowledged that the move was a risk. He’s hoping that Ocon abides by the ‘clear rules’ he will set next year.

“It’s our job to create the right environment for both drivers and make sure they work well together,” he said. “You have to communicate transparently and set clear rules. Maybe I’m a bit naive. And maybe the future will show that I was wrong.”

Pierre Gasly sent Alpine a ‘clear message’ about Esteban Ocon

Ocon will be expected to take on a team leader role with the American outfit next year given the vast gulf in experience. Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur told Haas to recruit a mentor for Bearman, who’s aiming to race for the Scuderia one day.

This will be an unfamiliar situation for Ocon, who’s always been either the junior figure or an equal for his teammate. But Komatsu will hope that it brings out the best side in him.

He may be relieved to escape Alpine, where he seemed to be growing increasingly frustrated. Ocon and Gasly used to be close, but they haven’t repaired their relationship since a childhood fallout.

During a podcast appearance last year, Gasly sent Alpine a ‘clear message’ about his role within the team. He said he’d taken it upon himself to preserve harmony, indicating that Ocon may have been the source of any tension.