Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has declined to provide clarity on Esteban Ocon’s future with the American Formula 1 team, deflecting direct questions about whether the French driver will remain on the grid next season. The uncertainty comes amid reports of tensions between Komatsu and Ocon following the Miami Grand Prix, with speculation mounting about the driver’s position alongside rookie teammate Oliver Bearman.
Reports emerged after Miami suggesting that Komatsu and Ocon had engaged in a heated argument during that race weekend. The speculation has been fueled by comparisons between Ocon’s performance and that of his young British teammate Bearman, leading to rumors that the Frenchman could potentially lose his seat before the season concludes. AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda has been mentioned as a possible replacement candidate.
When asked about his timeline for making driver decisions for the 2025 season, Komatsu told media including RacingNews365 that the evaluation period would occur “around now – May, June, July time.” He emphasized that driver assessments are a standard practice across all teams, stating “I think everybody is looking at next year’s drivers, and it is not just us, but everyone.”
However, when pressed directly about whether he would retain both Ocon and Bearman if forced to decide immediately, the Japanese team boss refused to engage. “I think a question like this is going to create some shit, right?” Komatsu responded. “Because then people are going to take my words and say, ‘Oh, Ayao said this, you decide now, you’re going to continue with Esteban, not continue with Esteban’. They will take it completely out of context, so I am not going to answer that question.”
Both Ocon and Komatsu had previously expressed frustration with the media reports about their alleged Miami confrontation. Komatsu’s reaction was particularly strong, with the team principal reportedly using explicit language to express his displeasure with the speculation surrounding his relationship with the French driver.