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Esteban Ocon

Pierre Gasly of the Alpine F1 Team A524 celebrates his podium during the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Pierre Gasly Might Become the First Driver Ever to Not Cost His Team a Single Dollar

    Somin Bhattacharjee
    The Road Ahead for Alpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan Poised to Lead the Charge
    DOOHAN Jack (aus), Alpine F1 Team A524, portrait GASLY Pierre (fra), Alpine F1 Team A524, portrait during the Formula 1 Grande Premio de Sao Paulo 2024

    Samriddhi Jaiswal

    Why Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly’s Podium Finish in Brazil Was No Fluke
    Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil. 3.November.2024; Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon of BWT Alpine F1 Team on the podium during Formula One Brazil Grand Prix

    Somin Bhattacharjee

    “It’s Max Who Deserves the Title”: Esteban Ocon Lauds Verstappen for Winning Races Without ‘The Fastest Car’
    Max Verstappen Oracle Red Bull Racing, Netherlands, 01 celebrates victory at the finish line in Parc Ferme and waves to the fans, USA, Formula 1 World Championship, Pirelli Grand Prix of the United States of America

    Aishwary Gaonkar

    Alpine Secures $26 Million Prize with Double Podium Finish at Brazilian GP
    10 GASLY Pierre (fra), Alpine F1 Team A524, action during the Formula 1 Grande Premio de Sao Paulo 202

    Anirban Aly Mandal

    Esteban Ocon Turns His Head as Franco Colapinto Playfully Jibes Him for Stealing Fastest Lap at US GP
    Esteban Ocon(L), Franco Colapinto(R)

    Veerendra Vikram Singh

    2024 F1 Drivers Racing Numbers and the Stories Behind Them
    Max Verstappen's #1 (L), Lewis Hamilton's #44 (R)

    Vidit Dhawan

    Esteban Ocon Reveals He Will Definitely Have a Chat With ‘Best Friend’ Mick Schumacher Before Joining Haas
    Esteban Ocon Reveals He Will Definitely Have a Chat With ‘Best Friend’ Mick Schumacher Before Joining Haas

    Naman Gopal Srivastava

    “I Don’t Want to Make Headlines”: Esteban Ocon Refuses to Reveal What Triggered Alpine’s Downfall
    “I Don’t Want to Make Headlines”: Esteban Ocon Refuses to Reveal What Triggered Alpine’s Downfall

    Mahim Suhalka

    Esteban Ocon Credits Ayao Komatsu as the Driving Force Behind His Haas Move
    Personal relationships can significantly influence decision-making in F1. Esteban Ocon demonstrated this by revealing that Ayao Komatsu was a key factor in his decision to join Haas. The Japanese engineer, who became the Team Principal of the American team in 2023, shares some old memories with Ocon. Ocon made his F1 race weekend debut back in 2014 when he tested for Lotus' F1 team. Komatsu was part of the outfit at that time and was the one guiding Ocon throughout the weekend. Recalling those memories, Ocon decided to join Haas in 2025, because he trusted Komatsu's leadership. "He is an experienced racing engineer who knows what he is talking about. When I met him for the first time, I was still very young," he said (per AMuS).  "But even back then, I was very impressed by the questions he asked me. He was my engineer when I completed my first Formula 1 test in 2014. I still like to remember that fondly," the Frenchman added.  AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT - Q: Haas was still last in 2023. It is the smallest team in Formula 1. It doesn't exactly seem like a logical choice. Esteban Ocon: What convinced me the most is that Ayao (Komatsu) is leading the team. He is an experienced racing engineer who knows... 1/4 — Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) October 9, 2024 After testing for Lotus in 2014, his interaction with Komatsu at that time ultimately influenced his decision to choose his new F1 team a decade later. However, Ocon will need to be patient with Haas's progress, even though he trusts Komatsu. Currently, the Kannapolis-based outfit lacks the right mechanical package to consistently compete for points, but the current Alpine driver believes they will get there. Ocon is convinced with Haas' F1 project Ocon has driven for Racing Point (Team Silverstone) and Alpine (Renault) in F1 and served as a Mercedes reserve for some time—teams with large workforces. In contrast, Haas is a much smaller team. However, they currently find themselves in a good position to earn a significant bonus at the end of the season. Sitting P7 in the Constructors' Championship, they are just three points behind RB in P6. If they manage to secure sixth place, it would be a significant achievement for the American team. The higher a team finishes in the standings, the greater the financial rewards they reap.  Haas will undoubtedly benefit from this, as they already possess the desire and motivation to succeed back at the factory. Ocon stated, "The team has clear goals. I want to be a part of it. I was already at the factory and saw the passion with which everyone works there. I have missed this feeling." 

    Mahim Suhalka

    “I Knew the Targets Were on Me”: Ollie Bearman Was Prepared to Face Hostility in F2 After F1 Debut
    “I Knew the Targets Were on Me”: Ollie Bearman Was Prepared to Face Hostility in F2 After F1 Debut

    Mahim Suhalka