F1 News: Haas admits 2025 contract talks with Esteban Ocon
(GMM) Haas has confirmed that Esteban Ocon is in the running for a 2025 race seat. Amid Alpine’s deep performance slump at present, rumors have been swirling that while Pierre Gasly may stay beyond 2024, Esteban Ocon is looking around at his options.
“We don’t feel any pressure about the driver market because we have two good drivers,” team boss Bruno Famin insisted at Monaco. “We will be happy to continue with them.”
Haas, however, has at least one seat to fill, after Nico Hulkenberg recently signed for Audi-owned Sauber. Ferrari-backed Oliver Bearman is the favorite to secure that place.
But Kevin Magnussen’s seat for 2025 is not yet secure, as he grapples to emerge from a dip in form. “We are talking to some drivers,” confirmed team boss Ayao Komatsu in Monaco.
“I have no reason to close the door on anyone at this point,” he is quoted by Ekstra Bladet newspaper.
“If someone comes to see us, has an interest in us, I will not close the door. Esteban (Ocon) is one of them, but one of many.”
Haas has taken a clear step forward in 2024, even if both cars were excluded after qualifying on Saturday when scrutineers discovered the DRS opening was illegal.
Komatsu, however, enthused: “Of course, sporting results are noticed by everyone. I feel grateful that some current F1 drivers are interested in our team.”
Last Updated May 26, 2024
2025 AutoRacing1.com F1 Silly Season Page | ||||||
Team | Engine | No. | Driver | Nat. | Rating | Comments |
Audi Sauber | Ferrari | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Germany | Fact | Signed |
55 | Carlos Sainz Jr. | Spain | Strong | Will replace Bottas | ||
Alpine F1 Team | Renault | 10 | Pierre Gasly | France | Strong | Expected back |
61 | Jack Doohan | Australia | Speculation | Waiting in the wings | ||
Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team | Mercedes | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Spain | Fact | Signed thru 2026 |
18 | Lance Stroll | Canada | Fact | Daddy owns the team | ||
Ferrari | Ferrari | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Monaco | Fact | Signed thru 2028 |
44 | Lewis Hamilton | England | Fact | Signed thru 2026 | ||
Moneygram Haas F1 Team | Ferrari | 31 | Esteban Ocon | France | Speculation | Could replace Kevin Magnussen |
38 | Oliver Bearman | England | Strong | Expected to replace Hulkenberg | ||
McLaren F1 Team | Mercedes | 4 | Lando Norris | England | Fact | Signed |
81 | Oscar Piastri | Australia | Fact | Signed | ||
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team | Mercedes | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Italy | Speculation | Could replace Hamilton |
55 | Carlos Sainz Jr. | Spain | Speculation | Could replace Hamilton | ||
63 | George Russell | England | Fact | Signed thru 2025 | ||
Red Bull Racing | Honda | 1 | Max Verstappen | Netherlands | Fact | Signed thru 2028 |
11 | Sergio Perez | Mexico | Speculation | Could be re-signed for 1 year | ||
22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Japan | Speculation | Could replace Perez for 1 year | ||
55 | Carlos Sainz Jr. | Spain | Speculation | Could replace Perez | ||
Visa Cash App RB | Honda | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Japan | Strong | Expected back |
40 | Liam Lawson | Australia | Strong | Expected to replace struggling Ricciardo | ||
Williams Racing | Mercedes | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Italy | Speculation | Could replace Sargeant |
23 | Alex Albon | Thailand | Fact | Signed | ||
77 | Valtteri Bottas | Finland | Speculation | Could replace Sargeant |