Formula 1 returned to the streets of Jeddah for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, but it was a weekend to forget for Esteban Ocon. The French driver, now racing with the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, struggled significantly during qualifying and ended the session in 19th place—second to last on the grid.
This result was especially disappointing given the expectations Ocon had set for himself and the team heading into the weekend. After making the switch from Alpine to Haas this season, many hoped the change would offer a fresh start. Instead, Saturday’s qualifying session highlighted just how much work lies ahead.
“We Were Lacking So Much Pace”
Ocon didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration after stepping out of the car.
“We were lacking so much pace today. I don’t have much more to say. We gave it our best, but there was simply nothing in the car,” he said.
According to Ocon, he did manage to improve slightly on his final flying lap, but it wasn’t enough to escape Q1, the first elimination round in qualifying. The 19th-place result has left both the driver and the team searching for answers, as they try to identify why the performance drop was so steep on a track known for high-speed precision.
Teammate Comparison Adds Pressure
To make matters worse, Ocon’s teammate Ollie Bearman—who only recently joined Haas and is still relatively new to F1—managed to outqualify him by several places, finishing 15th. This comparison puts even more pressure on Ocon to perform, as intra-team battles are often used to measure a driver’s effectiveness and value within a team.
Bearman’s result also suggests that the car had more potential than Ocon was able to extract, further fueling speculation that setup issues or driver confidence may be playing a bigger role than expected.
A Season of Transition for Ocon
This year was supposed to be a fresh chapter for Esteban Ocon. After parting ways with Alpine at the end of last season, he joined Haas in hopes of revitalizing his career. Known for his tenacity and racecraft, Ocon has been a consistent midfield performer in previous years. However, the start of the 2025 season has proven to be rockier than anticipated.
In Bahrain, Ocon managed to finish in 13th place, just outside the points. While not a terrible result for a team like Haas, which has traditionally struggled near the back of the grid, it wasn’t the kind of momentum-building performance he had hoped for. Now, with a near-back-of-the-grid start in Saudi Arabia, the pressure is starting to mount.
Haas F1’s Development Curve
The Haas team itself is in the middle of a rebuilding phase. With new technical leadership and ongoing efforts to close the gap to the midfield, the American outfit is trying to change its reputation as a backmarker. This includes an updated car philosophy for 2025, more investment in aerodynamics, and improved race operations.
Despite those efforts, results like Saturday’s indicate that Haas still has a long way to go. The inconsistency between Ocon and Bearman’s performance also suggests the car may be extremely sensitive to setup, or difficult to drive on the limit.
Team principal Ayao Komatsu has previously emphasized patience, stating the team is working with a long-term vision. However, Formula 1 is a results-driven sport, and weekends like this one test that patience to its core.
Qualifying Results Overview
While Ocon struggled, other drivers lit up the timing screens in Jeddah. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen continued his dominant form, securing pole position with a blistering lap time of 1:27.294. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri followed closely behind in P2, with George Russell putting his Mercedes on the second row in third.
Lando Norris, who currently leads the championship standings, had a dramatic moment in Q3 when he crashed during his final run. The incident limited him to 10th place, leaving him with work to do on race day.
The competitive nature of qualifying showed how tight the margins are between teams this season. But even in such a close field, Ocon and Haas found themselves adrift at the back, a worrying sign with a long season ahead.
Looking Ahead to Race Day
Despite the poor qualifying result, Esteban Ocon remains optimistic about making progress during the race.
“It’s going to be a long race, and anything can happen here. We’ll do everything we can to fight forward and try to grab any opportunity,” he said.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is known for its unpredictable races. The combination of high-speed corners and concrete walls means that even small mistakes can lead to safety cars or red flags. For Ocon, this may be his best chance to gain positions and possibly sneak into the points if chaos unfolds ahead.
Haas will likely explore alternative strategies, such as a long first stint or a gamble on tire compounds, to make the most of the situation. While points might be a stretch, a strong recovery drive could restore some confidence heading into the next round.
Conclusion
Esteban Ocon’s tough qualifying session in Saudi Arabia is a stark reminder of how brutal and competitive Formula 1 can be. As the 2025 season gains momentum, Ocon and Haas must regroup quickly, address their performance issues, and work together to close the gap to the midfield.
The race on Sunday offers a chance at redemption—but it will take clever strategy, a bit of luck, and a determined drive to turn this challenging weekend around.
McLaren Stuns Rivals as Norris Leads Final Practice in Saudi Arabia
