Ocon: ‘Confidence still not there’ despite Haas’ China turnaround

Esteban Ocon and the Haas F1 team entered the 2025 season with cautious optimism after a promising display in pre-season testing, but the opening races have delivered a rollercoaster of results that leave the French driver tempering expectations.

The Australian Grand Prix was a rude awakening – Haas languished at the back, the slowest car on the grid, unable to capitalize on a chaotic race that offered opportunities for points.

Just one week later, the team pulled off a stunning reversal in China, securing double points with Ocon and rookie teammate Ollie Bearman finishing seventh and 10th, later elevated to fifth and eighth after Ferrari’s drivers were hit with post-race disqualifications.

Yet, despite this dramatic swing, Ocon remains grounded, insisting that the American outfit has a long way to go.

“We need to stay on top of our game,” Ocon said, quoted by RACER. “The confidence is not yet there, because it’s only race two and we’ve been swinging in performance from bottom of the midfield to now top of the midfield.

“So, we need to stay on top of what we are doing, focus on ourselves and optimize what we have. I know there’s more performance to unlock from the car and that’s very good to see.”

An Incredible Turnaround

While Ocon remains cautious, he didn’t shy away from celebrating the effort behind his team’s impressive turnaround in Shanghai.

“Not that many days ago, we were dead last in Melbourne and it was looking difficult,” he admitted, painting a vivid picture of the team’s low point.

The Melbourne debacle wasn’t just a poor result—it was a crisis that tested Haas’ resolve.

“But, we didn’t sleep much — we couldn’t eat very much, in the words of Ayao — but it was all worth it, because we discussed everything about where to unlock that performance from the car,” Ocon recounted. “We knew there was more performance to be had.

“Obviously, it’s a good surprise to see that we still can improve some more, and that’s where we are. So, it’s very good signs.

“But honestly, amazing turnaround from the team — proud of everyone back in Maranello and Banbury. I think they’ve done an amazing job putting their hearts into it and trying to find solutions.”

Building on the Momentum

Ocon also highlighted the role of his teammate, Oliver Bearman, in securing the team’s first double-points finish of the season.

“So, well done to them and well done to Ollie, because double points for us is a massive thing,” he said.

“He was out of position and it’s really great to see him coming back on an alternate strategy as well. We’ve made it work, and it’s great to see. So, hopefully only the beginning.”

While Haas may not be fully confident yet, the rapid progress between Australia and China has shown that the team has the potential to fight in the midfield.

Now, the challenge is to maintain that upward trajectory and prove that China wasn’t just a one-off success.

• Read also: Komatsu lauds Haas team’s ‘amazing reaction’ in China comeback

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