Haas will take an all-new lineup in their team for the 2025 season when they field both Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.
It comes after Nico Hulkenberg decided to leave the team at the end of 2024 to pursue a drive at Audi, while Kevin Magnussen’s time at the team effectively came to an end.
Magnussen is still expected to be carrying out roles with Haas as a test driver, providing an important benchmark for the team when they test Ocon and Bearman.
Haas is looking to improve its fortunes and finish more regularly in the midfield, having missed out on sixth in the Constructors’ Championship from Alpine in 2024.
Team Principal Ayao Komatsu thinks Haas would have no chance against Williams if they reached their full potential, and now he has outlined another factor that could see things backfire for them in 2025 when speaking to The Race.
Ayao Komatsu says Haas ‘in trouble’ if drivers act like Nikita Mazapin and Mick Schumacher
In 2021 Haas was using a car that was nearly four years old and was finishing at the back of the field due to lack of car development. They also had two rookies in the car; Russian driver Nikita Mazapin and Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.
Schumacher showed promise after winning the F2 title, but two crash-ridden seasons put an end to his F1 career. Mazapin was not much better, with his nickname being ‘Mazespin’ due to the amount of times he spun off in his car.
He was eventually banned from competing following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Mazapin refusing to compete under the neutral banner. Komatsu believes Haas must avoid another scenario like 2021 and is confident they can achieve good results with Bearman and Ocon.
“I don’t think Nikita and Mick is any example to go by,” said Komatsu. “If you have to go back to that combination, basically I’m in trouble!
“Honestly, with Esteban and Ollie, they are two very, very good drivers. They have both got a lot more to prove. I think we have got a very good combination and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Esteban Ocon to be prioritised in first 2025 Haas car run
Haas plans to run their 2025 car for the first time on 16th February at Silverstone, where Ocon is expected to be given the priority run.
This is because the team want to ensure that Ocon, who is 6.1ft, is comfortable within the car without them needing to make any last-minute changes.
READ MORE: Who is 2025 Haas driver Oliver Bearman? Everything to know
Ocon managed to fit in both a 2023 and 2024 car without any problems having recently tested both in Abu Dhabi at the end of last season, and more recently in January.
The run in February of the 2025 challenger will be part of their filming day allocation, of which teams get 200km of running for promotional purposes.
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