Esteban Ocon’s 7th Place in Abu Dhabi: A Bittersweet End to a Frustrating 2025 Season

The French driver, now fully integrated with Haas, admitted that while he was “very happy to end the year like this,” the achievement was tinged with regret over lost opportunities earlier in the campaign.

“I’m very happy to finish the season like this, but there’s still a bitter taste because over the last ten races, we should have been as competitive as this.”

A Strong Finish, But Too Late

After a difficult Friday practice where Ocon described hitting « the lowest moment of the season, » overnight changes to his Haas VF-25 transformed its handling. This allowed him to qualify eighth and fight competitively on Sunday, ultimately holding off seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to cross the line in P7.

However, despite this strong showing, Haas was unable to overhaul Aston Martin for seventh in the Constructors’ Championship, a fact that weighed heavily on Ocon. « It wasn’t quite enough to finish ahead of Aston Martin, » he noted, emphasizing that the points lost mid-season were where the battle was truly decided.

Reflections on Lost Opportunities

Ocon’s season was defined by a rollercoaster of performances. After a promising start following his move from Alpine, the second half of 2025 proved particularly challenging. The team struggled to find a consistent setup window, often leaving Ocon and his rookie teammate Oliver Bearman fighting outside the points.

The Frenchman’s frustration stemmed from the realization that the solutions to his struggles were found only in the final race. His late resurgence, including three points finishes in the last five races, provided a foundation for 2026 but couldn’t erase the disappointment of what might have been.

A New Chapter at Haas

Ocon’s move to Haas in 2025 marked a fresh start. He described his new team as “very direct and focused on performance,” a stark contrast to his previous experience. “Here, we know where we’re going,” he told reporters, expressing satisfaction with the team’s transparency and dedication under Team Principal Ayao Komatsu.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As the 2025 season drew to a close, Ocon emphasized the importance of consistency and building on the lessons learned. “The team has done a fantastic job this year, finishing on a high note,” he said. With the 2026 season promising significant technical changes, Ocon hopes Haas will carry this late-season momentum forward to be on the right side of the competitive divide.