Haas is one of the only teams on the 2025 Formula 1 grid that will take a completely fresh line-up into this season.
After finishing seventh in the Constructors’ Championship, team principal Ayao Komatsu decided to refresh their line-up ahead of the 2026 season when the new regulations come into play.
Experienced driver Esteban Ocon will pair with 19-year-old Oliver Bearman who is fresh out of Formula 2, and became the youngest driver to race for Ferrari in 2024 when he replaced Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Komatsu was confident enough to call upon Bearman on two more occasions in 2024 for Haas when Kevin Magnussen had to miss races through bans and illness.
Bearman was disappointed with his pre-season testing for Haas due to the lack of qualifying simulations but appeared optimistic about their chances. Discussing the Haas line-up on the F1 Nation podcast, Romain Grosjean revealed what Komatsu told him in private about Bearman and Ocon.
Romain Grosjean says Ayao Komatsu told him he was ‘happy’ with Haas driver lineup
Komatsu used to work with Grosjean when he was racing for Lotus between 2012 and 2015 as his main race engineer.
He would go on to follow Grosjean to Haas, where he was promoted to trackside engineer director before taking on the role of team principal in 2024.
Grosjean still keeps in touch with Komatsu and revealed what he told him about Haas’ 2025 driver lineup when speaking on the F1 Nation podcast.
“Speaking with Ayao Komatsu, he’s very happy with both drivers. He’s got the experience with Esteban, knows him from the Renault days and Ollie Bearman is similar doing a great job. I think he’s happy with his lineup and that’s good enough to know that he’s in a strong position,” said Grosjean.
Oliver Bearman has already impressed Esteban Ocon
Bearman has already impressed Ocon with his technical knowledge since they became teammates, with the Frenchman being granted an early release from his contract with Alpine.
The Briton will be hopeful that his technical ability will help him prepare for his first full-time season, with Haas electing to focus on their new trackside operation structure.
READ MORE: All to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari and Toyota ties
The American team has overhauled its engineering and strategy departments in a bid to improve communication, in what is seen as an important year for them.
Ahead of the big regulation change next year, Haas is hopeful they can finish higher up this season and work their way up the competitive order.
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