Just one week after a disastrous outing at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, Haas silenced its critics with a stellar performance as Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman both scored points at the F1 Chinese GP.
The team, which had been written off as the slowest on the grid after Melbourne, showcased a stunning transformation. This saw both Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman secure valuable championship points in Shanghai.
The stark contrast between the two races highlights the team’s ability to adapt and improve rapidly. In Australia, Ocon and Bearman struggled with an uncompetitive VF-25. They qualified at the back and finishing a lowly 13th and 14th. But in China, thanks to significant behind-the-scenes efforts, Haas emerged as a serious midfield contender.
Ocon crossed the finish line in seventh place before being promoted to fifth following post-race disqualifications. Bearman moved up from 10th to 8th, marking the team’s strongest result since Mexico 2024. They now sit P6 in the Constructors’ Championship following the result in Shanghai.
A herculean effort between races
Ocon credited Haas’ relentless efforts during the short turnaround, with key adjustments made after a disappointing Australian Grand Prix. The Frenchman explained how the team maximised every available hour between Melbourne and Shanghai to extract the car’s hidden potential.
“Honestly, a great turnaround from the team,” said Ocon after the Chinese GP. “They have done an amazing job in a couple of days to try and get some more performance out of the car. As Ayao [Komatsu] said, we didn’t sleep much and eat much.”
The team’s efforts bore fruit as they drastically altered the car’s set-up, unlocking unexpected levels of performance. Esteban Ocon qualified P11 on Saturday, and the race pace was excellent for both drivers. A great pass on Kimi Antonelli was a highlight moment from the French driver.
Ollie Bearman could come through the field on the hard-medium strategy, making plenty of overtakes in his second stint as he coaxed the C3 tyre to the end.
“We really changed 90 per cent of the car from Friday to how it was on Saturday. And really, in qualifying, the car came alive, and suddenly I felt just more confident; I felt that I could attack much more,” Ocon added.
Strategic brilliance in Shanghai for Ocon
Haas’ turnaround was not just limited to car performance—it was also down to a well-executed race strategy. Both Ocon and Bearman capitalised on an effective tyre strategy, moving forward through the field. Ocon started on the medium compound and quickly broke into the top 10, while Bearman made early progress on the hard tyres.
The team then opted for a bold one-stop strategy. It was a gamble that paid off as both drivers managed their tyres superbly to the finish.
“It wasn’t clear it was a one-stop race, it wasn’t clear at all,” Ocon admitted. “When I had 30 laps to go, I was like, ‘it was a bit of a stretch’, but it worked well.
“Amazing strategy call by the team, tricky. I also didn’t know if it was going to be possible to go to the end.
“I’m sure the team sweated a bit on the pit wall as well, but a very ballsy call to do, and we did it, so that’s very good.
“And well done to Ollie as well, because, coming back from where he came back on an alternate strategy, finishing with the medium on so many laps, yeah, very great to see both cars in the points today.”
A renewed sense of confidence
The result in China lifted spirits within the Haas camp. It proved that the team’s 2025 car has more to offer than initially feared.
“A lot of meetings, a lot of thoughts, a lot of honesty between everyone as well, and everyone put their heart out there in the meeting to find solutions. And we knew there was potential, some more to unlock,” Ocon said.
While Haas is not getting carried away by a single strong result, the performance in Shanghai has injected belief that, with continued refinement, they can consistently challenge for points.
“It shows that what we have done is correct, and we need to keep going in the same direction,” Ocon concluded in his Chinese GP print media zone discussion.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Haas will now look to maintain this momentum.
