From egoist to team player? What's behind Esteban Ocon's transformation

(Motorsport-Total.com) - Esteban Ocon was often accused of not being a team player before joining Haas at the start of this Formula 1 season. However, his new team boss, Ayao Komatsu, is convinced that the Frenchman has now proved his critics wrong.

In the current season of "Drive to Survive," Komatsu is asked by a staff member whether he's really sure Ocon is the right driver for the team. The signing had raised questions beforehand, particularly after Ocon's collision with his then Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco the previous year. At the time, there was even speculation that Alpine might suspend him for the following race in Canada.

At the time, Komatsu justified the move with Ocon's work ethic and emphasized that he would find the right environment at the Haas team to realize his potential. One year later, the Japanese driver feels vindicated in his decision.

What the race in Spa says about Ocon

For Komatsu, the proof lies in a scene at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Ocon voluntarily let his teammate Oliver Bearman pass because he believed the Briton was faster at that point. Ocon had opted for a lower-downforce setup, which caused him difficulty in the center sector on the damp track and caused his tires to wear more quickly.

"I didn't have to give a radio message," Komatsu explained in an interview with the English-language edition of Motorsport.com , a sister publication of Motorsport-Total.com on the Motorsport Network. "Esteban let Ollie pass on his own initiative. That's the answer for me. Both drivers showed great team spirit."

The Haas team principal emphasized that clear coordination in advance of such situations is crucial. Before the race in Spa, it was discussed internally that, with different setups, there could inevitably be phases in which one car would be significantly faster. Therefore, the overtaking maneuver was carried out without discussion.

Ocon is flourishing in the new team

The incident between Ocon and Bearman at Silverstone also didn't cause any dispute. Due to the difficult track conditions with only one dry line, contact occurred, but both drivers subsequently resolved the issue in a frank discussion. Komatsu praised the fact that team orders and position changes at Haas were implemented without resistance.

For the Japanese, this harmonious working relationship is based on a clear foundation of trust, transparency, and respect. This foundation was partially lost during Ocon's previous Formula 1 careers, but is continually being strengthened at Haas.

"Everyone is human. If a driver doesn't trust the team, or vice versa, that's not a good starting point," says Komatsu. "We want openness, honesty, and inclusion. Esteban has experienced good and bad phases in his career, but now we've created this foundation and are continuing to build on it. The foundation is there."