Haas F1 staff principal Ayao Komatsu says he’s “not bothered” by the “noise” surrounding Esteban Ocon’s popularity of not being a very good ‘staff participant’.
Ocon will be a part of Haas for the 2025 F1 season alongside Oliver Bearman, giving the American outfit a wholly new driver line-up for subsequent 12 months.
Throughout his time in F1, the Frenchman has developed a popularity following a sequence of on-track clashes along with his numerous teammates.
Sergio Perez, Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly have all had run-ins with Ocon through the years.
Whereas the entire numerous incidents haven’t essentially been Ocon’s fault, there’s a notion across the former Mercedes junior relating to his suitability inside a staff surroundings.
Talking completely to Crash.web on the Dutch Grand Prix final month, Komatsu revealed that Ocon’s popularity was a “dialogue level” and that that they had “trustworthy” talks about it throughout negotiations.
“It was a dialogue level however I’ve my perception from the start,” Komatsu stated. “I needed to communicate with Esteban in an trustworthy option to perceive the place he’s at in all these issues.
“Actually, basically, what I consider is so long as we’ve good, respect relationship with mutual respect and transparency. If we’ve received elementary belief between the staff and the motive force, it shouldn’t be a difficulty.”
In contrast to in his earlier groups, Ocon would be the most senior drivers and the de facto staff chief at Haas.
Komatsu is adamant there might be no points between Ocon and Bearman offered there’s “transparency” and “belief”.
“I actually don’t consider it’s going to be a difficulty,” Komatsu added. “He’s a really sturdy driver, he’s very decided. So long as we set the clear guidelines of engagement earlier than the beginning of the season, that is the principles we’re going to play with and what we count on of the drivers, and of the staff, and so long as there’s transparency.
“We might need to make a staff order or maintain place or cease the drivers, which the drivers might or might not agree, however they need to do it then we will focus on it afterwards.
“So long as there’s transparency and belief. I actually don’t consider there might be any points. All of the noise, I’m not bothered.”
