Esteban Ocon has not built the best reputation as a teammate in his Formula 1 career, but he is tackling that reputation this season at Haas. He praises his collaboration with teammate Oliver Bearman, which has remained unchanged even after the crash in Silverstone. “That’s because we are very honest with each other.”
This season, Haas has a completely new driver duo with Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman. There were some question marks around Ocon beforehand, as he has not built the best reputation as a teammate throughout his career.
The Frenchman has gone through five teammates since his debut in Formula 1 in 2016: Pascal Wehrlein (Manor, 2016), Sergio Pérez (Force India, 2017-2018), Daniel Ricciardo (Renault, 2020), Fernando Alonso (Alpine, 2021-2022), and Pierre Gasly (Alpine, 2023-2024).
He has been involved in multiple crashes with teammates, including with Pérez at Force India and with Gasly at Alpine. During the Belgian Grand Prix in 2017, Ocon even claimed that Pérez was ‘trying to kill him’, a statement that followed the crash fest between both drivers in the narrow streets of Baku.
Silverstone
After fourteen races, the balance can be drawn. And the conclusion is simple: Ocon calls his collaboration with Bearman his ‘best’ so far. The duo has collected 35 points together. Although Haas is currently ninth in the constructors’ championship, the team has already scored more points halfway through this season than halfway through last year. Ocon himself seems reborn: he is in P10 in the drivers’ championship with 27 points and achieved the best team result of the season with a fifth place in China.
In Silverstone, Ocon and Bearman had an unfortunate encounter, but according to Ocon, this did not impact their relationship. “I hadn’t thought about it, but it’s actually a good point. That’s because we’re very honest with each other,” Ocon told Motorsport.com.
“Right after the race, we sat down with Ayao. We discussed various circumstances, what we could have done better to avoid that scenario, where we should have paid more attention, and at which part of the turn,” Ocon continued. “It hasn’t changed the fundamentals. We just learned a bit more about what we can do in such situations. It hasn’t changed the relationship we have with Ollie. With him, I probably have the best relationship of all the teammates I’ve had.”
Both Great Team Players
Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu also tackles Ocon’s reputation. When asked by Autosport.com if Ocon has become a good team player, Komatsu responded decisively: “Yes, absolutely. Didn’t you see that move in Spa?” Ocon drove with less downforce there, which made it difficult for him to keep up in the rain. Eventually, he chose to let his teammate pass. “I didn’t even have to give a team order,” said Komatsu. “Esteban let Ollie pass himself. Honestly, they’ve both been great team players.”
