French driver Esteban Ocon signs a multi-year contract with Haas F1 Team from 2025 onwards, the American outfit announced on Thursday ahead of round 14 of the FIA Formula One World Championship, the Belgian Grand Prix, the last race before Summer Break.
Outgoing Alpine Esteban Ocon agreed on a multi-year deal with Haas F1 Team, replacing Dane Kevin Magnussen, who will leave the team by the end of 2024 after seven seasons through two spells with the squad at the pinnacle of motorsport.
As soon as Haas confirmed the departure of Magnussen last week, following the decision not to retain the 31-year-old for 2025, the name of Ocon surged as a strong candidate to take on the Danish seat.
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team Principal Ayao Komatsu commented: “I’m delighted we’ve secured Esteban Ocons services for the team. 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 - I was his race engineer that day with Lotus.”
“Esteban’s gone on to become an established talent in Formula 1 and, of course, a Grand Prix winner,” he added. “The experience he brings, not just from his talent base but also from working for a manufacturer team, will be advantageous to us in our growth as an organization.”
Furthermore, Komatsu remarked: “It was vital we had a driver with experience beside Oliver Bearman next year, but Esteban is only 27, still young with a lot to prove as well.”
“We have a hungry, dynamic driver pairing, and I look forward to welcoming Esteban into Haas for 2025.”
Ocon will partner 19-year-old rookie Oliver Bearman, who signed a multi-year deal with the team from 2025 and beyond.
Early in March, the young Briton made a long-lasting impression in the Formula One paddock when the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) member received a late call-up from Scuderia Ferrari to step in for Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian GP, diagnosed with appendicitis.
On debut in Formula One, the FIA Formula 2 championship driver went the distance, crossing the finish line in seventh place.
Also, he has been making FP1 outings with the American outfit, starting at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, then the Spanish GP, and most recently at the wheel of the VF-24 in Silverstone and Hungary; Mexico and Abu Dhabi are next.
Gene Haas, Team Owner of Haas F1 Team, outlined: “It was important to me that we have a driver with a known pedigree in Formula 1, and as a grand prix winner, Esteban undoubtedly fits that brief.
“Esteban’s proved himself in the teams he’s raced for as someone who’s continually in the mix and scoring points - it’s that continuity were keen to capitalize on as we look for increased performance gains on track.”
“We have a blend of youth and experience in our future driver line-up, and I’m excited to see the results.”
Early in June, Alpine announced the team and the 27-year-old would go their separate ways when his contract expires at the end of 2024 after five years competing together in the series.
The highlight of the Frenchman’s partnership with the French car manufacturer came in 2021 at the Hungarian Grand Prix, crossing the finish line in first place to become a Formula 1 race winner.
Since his debut at Formula One, the racer managed by Mercedes has driven for Manor Racing, Force India, Renault, and Alpine, recording 146 career starts, three podiums, and a victory, scoring 425 points, as of today.
“I’ll be joining a very ambitious racing team, whose spirit, work ethic, and undeniable upward trajectory have really impressed me,” said Ocon.
“I’d like to thank Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for their trust and support and our honest and fruitful discussions these last few months. On a more personal note, I am very happy to be working with Ayao again, as he was a part of my debut when I first stepped into a Formula 1 car during my Lotus Junior days more than ten years ago.”
“Haas has exciting plans and clear targets for the future. I’m very much looking forward to working with everyone in Kannapolis, Banbury, and Maranello and being part of this great project.”
Moreover, the Evreux-born shared through social media that his focus is still fully dedicated to Alpine.
“We’ve got 11 races to go this year, and I am more motivated than ever to end my five-year collaboration with the team on a high.”
