Haas - Major team-mate shunt not ‘unnoticed’ in Ocon decision

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has conceded that Esteban Ocon's Monaco Grand Prix clash with Alpine team-mate Pierre Gasly 'did not go unnoticed' at a time when he was in discussions with the Frenchman over a possible future drive.

Komatsu, however, is convinced the red mist that descended that day and has occurred in the past with other team-mate clashes will not be repeated when Ocon teams up with rookie Oliver Bearman in an all-new Haas line-up for next season.

Ocon has signed a multi-year contract with Haas, replacing Kevin Magnussen after Komatsu decided he required a greater level of consistency that the Dane has failed to deliver this season.

Ocon, however, has been involved in several incidents in the past, the most recent on the opening lap of the Monaco Grand Prix when he attempted a lunge on Gasly from too far back that resulted in terminal damage to his car.

It went against the rules of engagement imposed by team principal Bruno Famin, who saw the incident as the last straw for Ocon as it was announced soon after he would leave the team at the end of this season.

Komatsu, who had started talks with Ocon soon after the Miami Grand Prix a few weeks earlier, has confirmed discussing the matter with Ocon, and had nevertheless decided to take a chance on the 27-year-old.

Asked by RacingNews365 in a media session ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix whether the accident that day was considered, and if he had to weigh up whether Ocon was the right driver to join Haas, he replied: "Of course, we had to consider it.

"It's not like it went unnoticed. It was a pretty major incident, so I had a conversation with him, and I still made the decision."

As to whether his conviction in Ocon was justified, he added: "Yes. If I wasn't convinced about that then I wouldn't have done it."

Haas will not let situations 'get out of hand'

Komatsu is confident that given the relationship he has quickly forged with Ocon, as long there are clear guidelines in place then there will be no issues.

"Lots of it comes down to transparency, trust, on being clear on the rules of engagement," said Komatsu. "The problem happens when there's certain trust broken between the team and driver as well.

"Throughout my experience, I approach them with transparency, with no personal agenda, with a clear team agenda on the objectives, and the rules of engagement.

"As long as that's clarified in advance, as long as the communication is totally transparent, then the trust is there, and when the trust is there, I haven't encountered any issues that have got out of hand.

"So I'm not worrying personally. If I was worried I wouldn't have chosen this combination because it's my responsibility that we have two drivers who work for the team, and in the best interests of the team.

"I have no doubt that both Esteban and Ollie will deliver that."