Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has confirmed that Esteban Ocon is one name that the team is considering as it mulls over its driver line-up for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Alpine’s announcement last week that Ocon will not renew his partnership with the Enstone-based side has ensured he is an available proposition in the driver market.
Haas is guaranteed to have a vacant position for 2025 amid the news last month that Nico Hulkenberg will move to Sauber next term as it prepares to expand to Audi.
Ocon is believed to have been in talks with the American outfit prior to the revelation that he would leave Alpine as he sought to consolidate his prospects in the sport.
Komatsu has since revealed that the Frenchman, who has amassed one win and three podiums in 142 starts across two F1 spells, is a concrete option on Haas’ radar.
“He’s got a lot of experience, he is a race winner, he’s got podium finishes and has scored many points and then he worked with a few different teams,” Komatsu said.
“So he’s got a lot of experience which is what we are looking for, but also he’s still only 27, he’s still very young.
“And I think his commitment and work ethic is very, very good. I’m talking with several of the current F1 drivers, experienced guys, as well as some of the young drivers.
“So he’s definitely one of the several that I’m considering seriously.”
Along with owner Gene Haas, Komatsu is deciding on the drivers the team will field for the next season for the first time since replacing Guenther Steiner at the helm.
Komatsu has divulged that he intends to acquire an established name alongside an upcoming talent to concoct an optimal blend to progress F1’s smallest operation.
“I mean, as a team, you know, we are growing up,” he explained. “We are improving the team.
“So a pretty dynamic situation, so I think the mixture of good youth and then experience to give us the reference would be a pretty exciting combination.”
Haas signing Ocon could bring the curtain down on Kevin Magnussen’s time in the series as Oliver Bearman is viewed as a leading candidate to claim the other seat.
The Briton, who made his F1 debut with Ferrari in Saudi Arabia in March and finished in seventh, has appeared in three practice sessions with the Haas team to date.
Bearman is aligned with Ferrari, Haas’ engine supplier, and is earmarked to conduct five more FP1 outings in 2024, including next weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Regarding Bearman’s chances at graduating from Formula 2 to a full-time race seat with Haas next season, Komatsu added: “We are evaluating him.
“If he’s not in consideration we wouldn’t be running him in the car in FP1, so next time he is going to be in the car is in Barcelona.”
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