Komatsu: Ocon 'setting the benchmark' for Bearman at Haas

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Haas is hitting the 2025 Formula 1 season with a fresh driver duo – Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman – and team principal Ayao Komatsu couldn't be happier.

After years leaning on seasoned pros, the US outfit's swapped experience for a blend of proven talent and raw potential.

Ocon, a Grand Prix winner hungry for more, pairs with Bearman, the rookie who turned heads with a dazzling stand-in stint with Ferrari last year.

Speaking during pre-season testing last week in Bahrain, Komatsu revealed how Ocon's setting the pace for Bearman to chase. With Haas eyeing a midfield lead, the line-up's early chemistry has the team's chief buzzing with optimism.

Ocon: Setting a Benchmark

Komatsu was glowing about Ocon's impact straight out of the gate and how the Frenchman is ticking all the boxes.

"Yeah, it's [been] really good, really good," he enthused, quoted by Motorsport Week.

"Esteban's exactly what we expected. He's really determined, motivated, has attention to detail, working really hard with engineers. Very, very easy to work with and very precise.

"And also the tyre management, he's very good, [with] really good experience."

For Komatsu, Ocon's precision and know-how are already lifting the team's game, while they're also the gold standard Bearman needs.

"So it's really good that he's kind of like setting the benchmark for Ollie in that respect," he added.

"Even the qualifying simulation, you saw how strong Ollie was last year in qualifying, but even then, with the new car, adapting to it, et cetera, it's really good to have somebody like Esteban to set the benchmark."

Bearman: Rising to the Challenge

Komatsu also didn't hold back his praise for Bearman, highlighting the 19-year-old's approach and gusto after just two Grand Prix cameos and FP1 outings with Haas.

"Ollie, again, is very good to work with," he continued. "He's a positive guy and then, again, hardworking, very, very open."

Bearman's not blind to Ocon's value either, as he told reporters ahead of the F1 75 season launch in London last month.

"It's been nice to get to know [Ocon]," he said. "He's of course got a lot of experience in F1 that I can take and learn from, so I'm excited for our season together."

With Ocon as his yardstick, Bearman's soaking up lessons and bringing his own spark to the table.

After Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen gelled as team players in 2024, Ocon and Bearman are picking up the baton.

"Both of them are just collaborating very well as well," concluded Komatsu. "So far, it's been really nice, really nice."

Komatsu's accolades paint a picture of a squad not just racing together, but growing together with Ocon leading the charge and Bearman rising fast. As Melbourne looms, Haas looks ready to turn heads, one lap at a time.

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