The Formula 1 driver’s market went into overdrive in 2024 and has left the grid looking very different going into this year.
The 2025 F1 grid has seen only two teams retain both of their drivers from last season – Aston Martin and McLaren – with several rookies also called up to make their full debuts in the sport.
It means there are plenty of unknowns to be explored before the season opener in Australia in March.
Pre-season testing has already started, but all 10 teams won’t be in the same place until the F1 75 event in the middle of February before they all descend upon the Bahrain International Circuit for three days of running.
While many people will draw conclusions from that action, it won’t be until qualifying begins in Melbourne that we’ll see every team’s true potential.
For Haas and Sauber, there’s even more pressure with both teams employing two new drivers in 2025.
Both teams will be running rookies, with Haas signing Oliver Bearman after three impressive outings in 2024 and Sauber poaching Gabriel Bortoleto off McLaren following his Formula 2 championship victory.
Commentator Harry Benjamin was speaking on Instagram and while previewing the upcoming season, admitted that’s unsure how Bearman’s new teammate Esteban Ocon will fit in at his new team.
Harry Benjamin admits Esteban Ocon’s relationship with Haas could ‘crash and burn’
Talking about the French driver who has four F1 podiums to his name, Benjamin said: “I feel like it’s easy to forget that Esteban Ocon is now a Haas driver.
“Having spent the last five years at Alpine/Renault, a whole new environment.
“Haas run things probably a bit differently to Alpine, I think this relationship could go either way.
READ MORE: Haas driver Esteban Ocon’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
“It will either blossom and be formidable or it’s going to crash and burn. I don’t think there’s really going to be an in-between.
“I think it will blossom, a new environment for Ocon, a fresh line-up for Haas.
“Ultimately, I think the reset is going to be beneficial for both.”
Haas complete major personnel restructure including new Esteban Ocon race engineer
While Benjamin ultimately believes that Ocon will be a success at Haas, it’s easy to understand why he’s questioning what could potentially happen.
Ocon’s relationship with Gasly was stretched at times and he didn’t always see eye to eye with Fernando Alonso.
Haas come into this season feeling upbeat about their future after finishing seventh in the Constructors’ Championship last year under new team principal Ayao Komatsu.
READ MORE: All to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari and Toyota ties
Komatsu has spent the winter reshuffling some of his key staff at Haas including Ocon’s race engineer.
Laura Muller will become the first female race engineer in F1 history when she starts to work with Ocon, while a new chief race engineer – Francesco Nenci – a new head of strategy and a new sporting director have all been appointed.
Haas have the least resources in the paddock and any time they finish ahead of any of their rivals it should be seen as a success.
They’ve clearly found a winning formula for this set of regulations but they will soon need to turn their attention to 2026 and a brand-new car to avoid being left behind.
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