The Haas F1 Team had a tough opening to the 2025 Formula 1 season, finishing the Australian Grand Prix without scoring any points. Drivers Esteban Ocon and rookie Ollie Bearman crossed the line at Albert Park, completing the race in 13th and 14th places, respectively, as they struggled to find pace.
The weekend at the Australian Grand Prix was marked by chaotic weather conditions, oscillated between windy, extremely hot spells, and rain for the race itself, which only added to the challenges faced by the team. Ocon and Bearman found themselves grappling with the VF-25 car, struggling to replicate the performance they had hoped for. Ocon lamented the team’s position, explaining the frustration about not being competitive, especially when he noted, "If we had a little bit more we could have been in the mix for points. The cars were fighting just in front, and I was there."
The lack of pace from the VF-25 came as quite the surprise to both drivers. "It’s quite unexpected to be where we are this weekend. I’m sure we will figure out things to turn it around for the next round," Ocon remarked, hinting at the determination from both drivers to rectify the car's shortcomings before the next race.
During the race, Haas committed to a strategy of remaining on intermediate tires longer than some of their competitors, gambling under Safety Car conditions. This decision, aimed at optimizing tire usage, did not yield the results they had hoped for. Ocon, reflecting on the gamble, stated, "It was worth trying as, in the end, we didn’t lose any time; we just optimized what we had, and I think it is really the performance we missed out on this race." Despite the gamble, Haas finished as one of three teams without points.
Bearman, on his debut race with Haas, experienced mixed emotions after crossing the finish line safely, particularly as four rookie drivers crashed out during the race. "That was the aim of today, to get the laps in and collect data really," Bearman said. He expressed contentment with his own driving but recognized the need for the team to evaluate their approaches moving forward, saying, "I’m glad with how I performed, and obviously finishing the weekend on a high is good, but I think it's been a surprise for all of us... we are a bit disappointed with not being competitive for points."
Overall, the Australian GP served as a steep learning curve for Haas. The team now finds itself at ground zero, needing to analyze their performance deficiencies before heading to the next race event: the Chinese Grand Prix. The aspiration remains to tackle the challenges head-on and improve the car's handling and power to remain competitive on the track.
A thorough assessment of the data gathered during the race will be integral as they look to bounce back. The upcoming weeks leading to the race will be dedicated to maximizing their performance and optimizing the car’s capabilities, which they hope will translate to valuable points on the board during the races to come.
With the foundations of this year’s season just beginning, Ocon and Bearman remain hopeful. The determination to improve and adapt to the demands of Formula 1 racing essence drives their ambitions forward, as they understand the need to revitalize their efforts to keep pace with the competition.
