F1 | Esteban Ocon reveals Haas strategy to secure crucial points at the Dutch GP. Esteban Ocon explained the key Haas strategy that allowed both him and Oliver Bearman to score valuable points.

F1 | Esteban Ocon explained the key Haas strategy that allowed both him and Oliver Bearman to score valuable points at the Dutch Grand Prix

Haas drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman scored important points for the Constructors’ Championship during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. The French driver revealed the strategic move that made the difference for the American team.

The Haas weekend had started in a very difficult way. Both Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman failed to get through Q1 in qualifying, finishing 18th and 19th respectively. Taking advantage of starting at the back, the American squad decided to change the power unit on car #87 before the race, forcing the British driver to start from the pit lane. What at first seemed like a major penalty turned out to be an opportunity.

Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman eventually finished the Dutch GP in tenth and sixth position. This result was possible not only due to the three safety cars and the retirements of Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, but also thanks to excellent teamwork. At the end of the race, the Frenchman revealed the winning strategy that allowed Haas to claim vital points for the Constructors’ standings.

Teamwork pays off

Haas currently sits ninth in the Constructors’ Championship, only seven points behind Sauber in eighth place. Esteban Ocon praised the outcome achieved by the entire team at Zandvoort: “It’s very positive for the team to have both cars finishing in the points. We were a bit unlucky with the safety car because we lost three or four positions. But overall I think we can be very satisfied. Congratulations to Ollie [Bearman], he had a fantastic race. It’s a great result for us.”

The result, however, was made possible by solid teamwork. Ocon admitted: “We helped each other during the race. At one point we were running in tenth and eleventh. Ollie [Bearman] had dropped out of DRS range and the team asked me to give him DRS, then we kept pushing together. After my pit stop, the safety car came out at the wrong time and I fell to the back, but Bearman benefitted. For the team, it was a very good result, definitely important points.” The French Haas driver concluded the interview by saying: “I knew there was something to play for here, even starting from the back. These are crazy races, but I’m happy with the result.”