Ocon underlines 'no brainer' factors in Haas switch

Esteban Ocon has explained that his decision to switch to Haas for the 2025 F1 season was a "no brainer" given its upturn in performance this year.

The 27-year-old will leave Alpine at the end of the current campaign after five seasons with the Enstone-based squad.

Although Ocon had been one of the names touted for a change in home, the Frenchman's relationship with the team came to a head after his lap one incident with team-mate Pierre Gasly in Monaco.

Ahead of the next grand prix weekend, in Canada, it was confirmed he would seek pastures new for next season. From that point on, he has been closely linked with the Haas drive - however, their conversations began prior to F1's annual trip to Monte Carlo.

The American outfit's new team principal, Ayao Komatsu, worked with Ocon in the past, as his race engineer during the one-time grand prix winner's first F1 test with Lotus in 2014.

"Well, it does confirm what Ayao [Komatsu] is putting in place, basically," Ocon told media including RacingNews365 when asked how crucial Komatsu and Haas' recent improvements were to his signing.

"When you say something, but then you have the facts on track [to back it up], it's just very clear and very straightforward.

"So, to me, it was a no brainer to take that decision. I'm very happy with my choice and very happy with how we are going to move forward."

Ocon refusing to get drawn on vacant Mercedes seat

Ocon will partner rookie Oliver Bearman, which Komatsu feels will be a "hungry, dynamic driver pairing" for Haas. It is the first time the American team has ran an F1 race-winner in one of its cars.

Whilst Ocon was most seriously linked with Haas, and it remained the only likely destination for him, there were also suggestions he could be in the mix for the seat alongside current Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg at Stake.

Earlier in his career, the Frenchman was the heir-apparent to a Mercedes seat, as a junior member of the German team. 

However, with the emergence of George Russell and now Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Ocon did not appear to be in the running to replace Lewis Hamilton - something he would not get drawn on when asked if there were any frustrations at the Mercedes seat becoming available at the wrong time for him.

"I'm very happy with my choice - I'm not going to speak about names or which teams," he replied.

"There was many discussions with many different teams, you know, since '23 [2023]. But now it's official, and I can say one name and that will now remain."