Argomenti trattati
The Qatar Grand Prix took place at the Lusail International Circuit, showcasing a range of outcomes for the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team. Esteban Ocon finished the race in 15th place, while teammate Oliver Bearman encountered an unfortunate retirement toward the end of the event.
Ocon started from 16th position, utilizing Pirelli P Zero Yellow medium tires. He quickly moved up to 15th on the opening lap but was forced to make an early pit stop on lap 8 due to a safety car incident involving Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg. During this pit stop, Ocon switched to White hard tires. This tire choice became crucial as he received a time penalty for a false start. The penalty complicated his race strategy, necessitating another pit stop shortly after to correctly serve the penalty, leading him to re-enter the race in 17th place.
Oliver Bearman’s race experience
Oliver Bearman started the race in 13th place on medium tires. He gained a position on the first lap, moving up to 12th. A chaotic incident involving Gasly and Hulkenberg allowed Bearman to advance into the top 10. He made a pit stop under the safety car at the end of lap seven, opting for medium tires as part of the team’s strategy. Bearman maintained a strong position within the top 10 until lap 32, when a technical issue with the rear-left tire affected his race pace, causing him to drop to the back of the field.
Challenges faced by Bearman
Bearman faced additional challenges when he received a penalty for an unsafe release from the pits, which he served on lap 41. This series of setbacks ultimately led to his retirement from the race, ending what could have been a strong performance on a disappointing note.
Team reflections and future outlook
Despite the challenges faced, the Haas team currently occupies eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship with 73 points. The race concluded with Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen taking victory, followed by Oscar Piastri from McLaren and Carlos Sainz driving for Williams. The team’s performance, particularly Esteban Ocon’s resilience, suggests promising potential for the final race of the season.
Reflecting on his race, Oliver Bearman expressed disappointment but maintained a positive outlook regarding the pace demonstrated during the event. “We were on track for a good result, especially after the incident that allowed us to gain positions. It’s unfortunate that we lost points, but we still have one more race to recover and finish the season positively,” he stated.
Ocon’s thoughts on the race
Ocon expressed his frustration regarding the penalty he received, stating, “I don’t really understand where that came from. After 100 starts, I’ve always followed the same procedure. This penalty significantly affected our race.” He highlighted the importance of the upcoming race, reflecting on the team’s strong performance from the previous season.
Team Principal Ayao Komatsu recognized the challenges faced during the race. “It was an incredibly challenging race, especially considering the potential we had with the car’s performance. The small movements from Esteban’s car during the start were particularly puzzling, and we need to analyze this further. We made some errors during the pit stops, and while they are regrettable, they are part of the sport. The key is to support one another and learn from these experiences as we prepare for the final race,” he remarked.
As the Haas F1 Team prepares for the final race of the season, they are concentrating on overcoming recent challenges and striving for their best performance. The excitement surrounding the upcoming race is palpable, and the team is resolute in their goal