Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has explained why he chose to sign Esteban Ocon over other F1 drivers available at the time.
The 49-year-old signed the ex-Alpine driver for the American squad last summer, after it was announced he would not be continuing with the Enstone outfit.
With Nico Hulkenberg already departing for Stake at the end of the season and Oliver Bearman taking one of the Haas seats, Komatsu had a plethora of options at his disposal for the other half of the team's garage, including then-driver Kevin Magnussen.
However, Ocon got the nod over the incumbent Dane - and the likes of Valtteri Bottas, who will spend 2025 as Mercedes' reserve.
Whilst it is considered a curious choice by some, given the Frenchman's turbulent and underwhelming final season at Alpine, Komatsu has defended his decision, outlining exactly what drew him to the 28-year-old.
"I wanted someone still young," Komatsu told media including RacingNews365. "Young and experienced. Esteban was 27 [years of age] when I signed him, so still very young.
"And yes, he's got podiums, he's scored so many points, but I think he's still got lots to improve [on] as well.
"So I wanted somebody hungry, but a known quantity and young enough.
"But determination and work ethic was the big thing [for me], because we're such a small team. We've still got lots of areas in the process and methodology that is lacking."
Viewed by others:
Ocon the de facto Hulkenberg replacement
When it was confirmed in April last year that Hulkenberg would leave Haas for Stake, it was widely seen as a considerable loss for the American team.
In Ocon, Komatsu has strived to replace many of the qualities the German possesses. The Haas boss sees parallels between the two drivers, including their persistence and self-motivation.
"What Nico [Hulkenberg] did very well, was really driving that, being a part of the centre of the team; driving, development direction, being part of discussions about how we should develop the car," he explained.
"I wanted somebody to do that actively, rather than just turning up on the race weekend and driving, or turning up to a simulator session when we ask him to.
"I just wanted somebody who is very driven by himself, determined to improve himself, improve the team, just non-stop. And Esteban's that kind of character."
Who do you think Haas should have signed to partner Oliver Bearman? Let us know by voting below in the latest poll by RacingNews365.
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they discuss Aston Martin 'categorically denying' a report linking them with Max Verstappen. Alpine seemingly leaking its own livery is also discussed, on top of several other interesting topics from the past week!
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
The famous RN365 calendar download is back! Add the 2025 F1 calendar to your schedule with one click and don't miss a second of the new F1 season.
Download the F1 calendarMost read
In this article
Join the conversation!