Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has asserted that Esteban Ocon opting to move to the team in 2025 proves that it is no longer considered a last resort option in Formula 1.
The American outfit announced last month that it has signed Ocon on a multi-term deal to partner Ferrari Junior Oliver Bearman once his contract with Alpine expires.
Komatsu had named Ocon as his leading target to replace Sauber-bound Nico Hulkenberg due to his extensive experience acquired in the series compared to his age.
The Japanese engineer has revealed that it came as a pleasant surprise to him that Ocon didn’t take much persuading to commit his long-term F1 prospects to Haas.
“He’s only 27, you know, he’s still got lots to prove,” Komatsu told media including Motorsport Week. “And then he’s got really amazing commitment and work ethic.
“And when I met him, you know, when I explained to him about this project, where we are, what we’re trying to achieve, you know, I wasn’t trying to convince him, I just told him as it is.
“And then he completely got on board, you know, much, to be honest, much more so than I expected.
“And he was so engaged, he wanted to be part of this project, he believes in this project.
“So again, it means a lot to me that we have a driver, experienced driver, good track record, still young, still has a lot to prove, completely 100% believing in the project.
“And then I’m sure he will give us hope. So yeah, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Ocon admitted that talks to exit Alpine began in mid-2023, but Komatsu, who replaced Guenther Steiner last winter, disclosed his discussions began earlier this term.
“I met him after Miami and then in England,” he disclosed. “I had talked with his manager beforehand and I met him in England after Miami.
“This is when I told him where we are, what we’re trying to do as a team, what our plans are. But in terms of plans and what we’re trying to do, none of them is guaranteed.
“This is just my vision and then this is how we’re trying to move the team forward. I think that was the key meeting.
“I think he really was on board and then he really liked the vision and what we’re trying to achieve. He was very, I don’t know, engaged on that.”
Ocon was touted to have been on Audi’s radar as the German marque prepares to enter F1 when it takes over Sauber once all-new regulations are introduced in 2026.
But Haas has rebounded from slipping to last in the Constructors’ Championship last term to ascend to seventh place this season with a more competitive VF-24 car.
Komatsu believes Ocon turning down potential other advances to agree a move to Haas over more well-resourced rivals proves it has become an enticing proposition.
“I’m pretty grateful about that, that he’s chosen to come here over a few other teams, which is bigger than us,” he added.
“Everybody’s bigger than us, right? So yeah, it’s a very positive message.
Pressed on whether it shows that Haas is no longer a “last resort” to drivers on the market, Komatsu replied: “Yeah, 100%.
“So I think, honestly, thanks to the guys who’ve been improving the car throughout the season.
“We had a label that has never been able to develop the car through the season. Some seasons may start well, but only go backwards.
“But with our guys, thanks to our guys’ effort, throughout the update we put on Shanghai, Miami, Imola, we are at least maintaining our position crossing a gap to certain teams.
“Okay, we may not have improved as much as McLaren, but against lots of other people, we didn’t go backwards.
“We are at least maintaining our going forward. And then by Silverstone, you saw we actually have crossed the gap.
“So yes, it goes up and down with certain events, but generally we just proved that we can develop the car in season.
“So yeah, it’s thanks to those guys that I think other drivers were interested in us. Very pleasing.”
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