F1 fans are thrilled after reading Esteban Ocon’s two-word message to Haas teammate Oliver Bearman

Haas enter the 2025 Formula 1 season with an all-new driver pairing with Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.

Ocon joins the team from Alpine after spending five seasons with the Enstone-based team. The Frenchman was released from his contract before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix so the team could run 2025 signing Jack Doohan early.

It also allowed Ocon to test with Haas in the post-season session at the Yas Marina Circuit. The 28-year-old was allowed to wear the team’s racing overalls – unlike Carlos Sainz who wore plain white overalls with Williams – because he was no longer under contract at Alpine.

Ocon’s teammate Bearman is one of six new full-time drivers on the grid, but he does not count as a rookie having made three appearances in 2024. The Brit replaced Sainz at Ferrari in Jeddah, finishing seventh on debut, and replaced Kevin Magnussen in Baku and Sao Paulo.

As pre-season testing in Bahrain approaches, Haas recently had their first TPC test (testing of previous cars) at Jerez. Japanese driver Ritomo Miyata ran alongside Ocon and Bearman through Haas’ partnership with Toyota.

Following the outing, the American team’s new driver pairing sent social media into a frenzy as they finally shared their partnership nickname.

F1 fans are thrilled with Haas’ ‘Bearcon’ combination for the 2025 season

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Ocon shared a selfie with Bearman after their session in Jerez, writing just two words to describe the duo: ‘Bearcon 2025.’

Haas have certainly won fans over with their 2025 line-up as one fan wrote: “Bearcon is officially here I could cry,” while another said: “Haas ‘25 you’re so dear to me”.

One fan even said that Ocon and Bearman are the ‘Best British French alliance in history’.

One user said: “Ollie is Estie’s new bestie?” while another was excited to see how Ocon and Bearman will do together this season: “Looks promising!”

Another fan wished the duo all the best for the upcoming year as they wrote in Spanish: “Bearcon my protégés Much success this season”.

Can Haas improve on seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship in 2025?

Under the guidance of Ayao Komatsu, Haas have taken a huge step forward. The team arguably had the fifth-fastest car come the end of the season as Nico Hulkenberg and Magnussen made regular Q3 appearances.

But the team narrowly missed out on sixth in the Constructors’ Championship to Alpine. The Enstone-based outfit’s double podium in Sao Paulo propelled them ahead of their rivals.

Haas will be encouraged by the VF-24’s package last year and if they can carry the momentum into 2025, Ocon and Bearman can lead the team further up the grid.

Ocon will provide great experience to the team, and his result in Sao Paulo proves he still can challenge for top results.

David Croft thinks Bearman will ‘delight’ fans in 2025 after his impressive performances last season when he had little notice before jumping into the car. In a full season with proper preparation, the 19-year-old could be an exciting driver to watch.