Esteban Ocon Haas F1 driver’s partner, Flavy Barla, recently attracted attention on social media by sharing images of herself wearing a striking blue bikini. The French driver, who has competed in Formula 1 since mid-2016, has spent much of his career in the midfield before a recent team change.
As the 2025 season approaches, Ocon left Alpine after five years and joined the American Haas F1 team, pairing with rookie Oliver Bearman. This move marks a significant career adjustment for the 28-year-old driver, who currently holds P9 in the Driver’s Championship with 22 points.
Throughout the season, Barla has been a visible presence, often seen supporting Ocon during races. The 22-year-old influencer, with over 245,000 Instagram followers, posted several photos flaunting a blue bikini from the brand ‘VDM The Label’ across her Instagram Stories. She also accompanied Ocon at the World Premiere of the F1 movie in New York, shortly after the Canadian Grand Prix, where Ocon secured a points finish in ninth place.
Reflecting on a Troubling Austrian Grand Prix Qualifying Session
Following a challenging qualifying session at the Austrian Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon admitted the Haas team failed to get the most out of their performance, ending in P17 while teammate Oliver Bearman qualified slightly higher in P15. Ocon expressed his frustration regarding the session, emphasizing missed opportunities to improve pace during the run.
The French driver said:
“I don’t think we’ve optimised today, I definitely think we have more pace than we’ve shown. We lacked two tenths in the first two corners, and there was no improvement through the runs, plus the grip didn’t feel good.
“That was enough to put me out in Q1, as we were missing one tenth. Tomorrow, there’s opportunity to come back as there’s going to be lots of stops and a bit more degradation than normal, so it’s going to be an interesting race.” — Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 driver
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu supported this view, noting the difficulties posed by tire conditions and changing wind during qualifying. Komatsu emphasized confidence in the team’s race pace despite the setback and stressed the importance of maximizing points during the race.
“When you have slightly less than ideal conditions, you simply don’t make it – and we knew that. We couldn’t quite get it for Esteban with the tire conditions, and in Q2 the wind picked up, and it made life a lot more difficult for Ollie. We know from Friday that our race pace is good, so our focus is coming from our current positions to score points tomorrow.” — Ayao Komatsu, Haas team principal
Ocon’s Role in Haas and Team Performance Updates
Esteban Ocon is currently the lead driver for Haas, delivering most of the team’s points through the first ten races and two Sprint events of the season. His teammate Oliver Bearman has contributed six points, highlighting Ocon’s role in holding the team steady amid ongoing challenges.
The transition to Haas marks a new chapter for Ocon after five years at Alpine, with expectations high that he will elevate the American team’s midfield status. Despite recent qualifying struggles, the team remains optimistic about their race pace and prospects as the season progresses.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities for Haas This Season
The Haas team is entering a critical phase where consistency and strategy will be essential to scoring points and climbing the standings. Ocon’s experience paired with Bearman’s fresh talent could provide balance, but unpredictability in track conditions remains a concern.
With upcoming races expected to include varying tactics involving pit stops and tire degradation, Haas aims to capitalize on these opportunities to improve their position. Fans and stakeholders will be watching closely to see if Ocon and Barla’s supporting presence can propel the team toward stronger results in the remainder of the season.
