Esteban Ocon‘s decision to join Haas a year ago was driven by his desire for a healthier team environment, following difficult experiences at Alpine. By mid-2025, Ocon believes that the switch has been beneficial, both in terms of improving his race results and fostering a better atmosphere within the team. This shift has allowed him to build a more constructive partnership with his current team-mate, Oliver Bearman.
A Strong Connection Built on Shared Passion and Simplicity
Ocon contrasts his current relationship with Bearman to the strained dynamics he faced with previous partners like Pierre Gasly at Alpine and Sergio Perez at Force India. He attributes the strength of his alliance with Bearman to their mutual love for racing and the absence of team politics. This common ground has led to a genuine enjoyment of working together.
We have a little bit of the same passion,
Ocon explained to Motorsport.com.
Except that he’s a hooligan! Because he’s young, so he’s experiencing… For example, at Goodwood, we had this challenge of who’s going to bring back the biggest slick tyre after the run.
—Esteban Ocon, Haas Driver
During the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Bearman’s playful competitiveness was on display when he took on the challenge of turning wet tyres into slicks, a stunt that gained viral attention online. He demonstrated creative technical skills by manipulating the gearbox to unexpectedly spin the car’s rear wheels at very high speeds even while driving at low velocity.
I would not have had the balls to do something like that! Even if you’re doing 30, if your rear wheels are doing 280, the car can do some weird stuff. It was quite funny to see all that!
—Esteban Ocon, Haas Driver
Team Cooperation and Handling On-Track Incidents
Haas’s team principal Ayao Komatsu has commended the rapport between Ocon and Bearman. A notable instance of their teamwork was seen at Spa, where Ocon voluntarily allowed Bearman to pass without requiring a team order, a sign of mutual respect and trust. Moreover, after a collision at Silverstone that cost Haas valuable points, the drivers and Komatsu met immediately to resolve the situation privately, avoiding any prolonged public conflict.
I didn’t think about that, but it’s actually a good point,
Ocon reflected when asked why the Silverstone clash didn’t escalate like previous issues with other team-mates.
That’s because, you know, we are very straight and honest between ourselves and straight away after the race, we sat down with Ayao there and we talked about different conditions, what we could have done better to avoid that scenario, where we should have taken care a bit more and [at] what part of the corner.
—Esteban Ocon, Haas Driver
This open communication has helped both drivers grow from the experience without damaging their relationship, demonstrating maturity and professionalism within the Haas team.
The Exceptional Bond Between Ocon and Bearman
Ocon regards Bearman as the best team-mate he has worked with throughout his Formula 1 career, highlighting how their positive dynamic extends beyond the track and into the wider team environment. The strong connection between the two drivers is backed by a unified atmosphere involving the team leadership and engineering staff, fostering smooth collaboration within Haas.
We really get along super well and it’s nice to have such atmosphere inside the team and the track. With the team boss as well – because sometimes the team boss can be quite disconnected to what’s happening inside the engineering room. We are all united, which is good.
—Esteban Ocon, Haas Driver
This solidarity not only improves their performance but also sets an example of how constructive relationships can thrive in highly competitive sports like Formula 1.
The Outlook for Haas and Its Drivers in 2025
The partnership between Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman illustrates how finding the right team-mate can enhance both driver satisfaction and team results. Their blend of youthful energy and experienced insight, combined with clear communication and mutual respect, positions Haas well as the 2025 season progresses. Fans and experts will be watching to see if this strong alliance can translate into consistent progress on the Formula 1 grid.
