Boss of 20-point F1 team was clearly emotional in Bahrain Grand Prix interview, ‘beside himself’

Normality resumed at the Bahrain Grand Prix as McLaren returned to the top with Oscar Piastri. The Aussie claimed his second win of the season, but there were some other notable results in the field.

George Russell split the McLarens at Sakhir as Lando Norris had a tough afternoon battling for third. Meanwhile, the Brit’s teammate cruised to victory with a commanding performance.

Martin Brundle compared Piastri to Alain Prost after seeing how calm he was in managing the win. He now sits just three points behind Norris in the standings.

Ferrari secured a strong result at the Bahrain Grand Prix with fourth and fifth, while Max Verstappen limped home P6 after a torrid weekend. Red Bull held an ‘intensive meeting’ after the race as the team were miles off their rivals.

Pierre Gasly got Alpine off the mark with P7 – he was overtaken by Verstappen on the line for sixth. Yuki Tsunoda scored his first points as a Red Bull driver and the first points from the second RB21 in 2025 with ninth.

But perhaps the most impressive performance came from Haas, as they produced an incredible recovery to grab a double points finish for the second time this season.

READ MORE: All to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari and Toyota ties

Ayao Komatsu was ‘beside himself’ after Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman scored points at the Bahrain GP

It looked set to be a difficult weekend for Haas as Oliver Bearman had a ‘shocker’ in qualifying and lined up last for the race. Esteban Ocon got through to Q2, but he crashed at turn three and left him P15.

F1 fans mocked Ocon for his Nikita Mazepin-like crash, as it emulated the Russian’s accident on his debut in Bahrain in 2021. It did not paint a good picture for Sunday, but the Haas duo turned things around dramatically.

Aided by the timing of the safety car and pit stops, Ocon and Bearman came home P8 and P10. The result puts Haas on 20 points as they leapfrog Williams for fifth in the constructors’ championship.

Team boss Ayao Komatsu was ecstatic after the race, according to journalist Filip Cleeren. He spoke to the 49-year-old after the race and he was ‘beside himself’ after another strong result for Haas.

“I spoke to Ayao Komatsu, the team boss, like an hour ago I guess at this stage and he was besides himself,” he said via the Autosport YouTube channel.

“It was almost too early to interview him because he was still buzzing and full adrenaline and he was just so happy, it was really nice to see.

“After a debrief he would maybe give some more considered answers about how and when, but he was just: ‘I’m just so happy with this.”

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Haas driver Oliver Bearman? Everything to know

Oliver Bearman is proving he is a ‘star’ for Haas in 2025

Bahrain is not the first time Bearman produced a stunning drive from a Q1 exit. The Brit climbed from 17th to 10th in Shanghai, only to then be promoted to eighth after Ferrari’s double disqualification.

Ocon finished fifth in China to record Haas’ best result since Silverstone last season. While the Frenchman has put in some strong performances in 2025, it seems most of the attention is on his teammate.

Damon Hill praised Bearman for his ‘star drive’ in Bahrain to climb 10 positions to finish in the points. The 1996 champion also lauded Ocon for his recovery drive after his Q2 crash, but his performances may be getting overshadowed by the other side of the garage.

Karun Chandhok thinks Bearman is emerging as ‘lead driver’ at Haas. The 19-year-old’s impressive overtaking and consistency in races is already making him a favourite in the F1 paddock.