Haas F1 Team has announced a significant driver change for the 2025 season. Esteban Ocon will join the team on a multi-year deal, forming a completely new driver pairing with Ferrari Academy driver Oliver Bearman. This marks the end of an era for Haas, as both Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen will be departing the team. Hülkenberg is moving to Sauber, while Magnussen's future plans remain undisclosed. Interestingly, Ocon's move reunites him with Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, who previously served as his race engineer during a test with the Lotus team in 2014. With 146 Grand Prix starts under his belt, Ocon brings a wealth of experience to Haas. He has previously raced for Manor, Force India, Renault, and Alpine, scoring 425 points and securing three podium finishes. His career highlight is undoubtedly his maiden victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.
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Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu said: 'I’m delighted we’ve secured Esteban Ocon’s services for MoneyGram Haas F1 Team. I’ve obviously 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 – I was his race engineer that day with Lotus. He displayed his talents back then coming off the back of strong performances in the junior categories – 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 organization. It was vital we had a driver with experience besides Oliver Bearman next year, but Esteban’s only 27 – he’s still young with a lot to prove as well. I think we have a hungry, dynamic driver pairing and I look forward to welcoming Esteban into MoneyGram Haas F1 Team for 2025.'
Esteban Ocon said: 'I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter in my Formula 1 career and join MoneyGram Haas F1 Team from the start of the 2025 season. I’ll be joining a very ambitious racing team, whose spirit, work ethic, and undeniable upward trajectory have really impressed me. I’d like to thank Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for their trust and support and for our honest and fruitful discussions these last few months.’
F1: 2025 Formula 1 Grid
While the driver market for the 2025 Formula One season remains fluid, Esteban Ocon's move to Haas has solidified his spot on the grid, unlike many of his contemporaries who are eagerly awaiting Carlos Sainz's decision.
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Sainz's future has become a pivotal factor in the driver market, with several teams holding their breath for his choice. Alpine, Sauber/Audi and Williams have all made compelling offers to the Spaniard.
With Ocon off the market, the options for Kevin Magnussen have dwindled. Alpine, Williams, and Sauber are the only teams with potential openings for the 2025 season.
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