Haas F1 Team Shows Improved Performance in Miami Qualifying
Miami, FL – Esteban Ocon carried the Haas F1 Team into the coveted final qualifying round for the Miami Grand Prix, securing a commendable ninth position on the grid. His performance not only outpaced Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda but also saw him close in on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, finishing just 0.07 seconds behind.
Ocon attributed the team’s progress to strategic adjustments made in the wake of their performance in the sprint race, where teammate Oliver Bearman faced challenges due to a pitlane infringement. “I think this is probably the best quali of the year so far for us," Ocon stated. He noted that Haas had significantly improved the car setup to resolve issues encountered in the sprint. His qualifying time was 0.620 seconds off pole position, achieved by Max Verstappen.
He acknowledged that, although substantial progress was made, some inconsistencies still lingered. “There are some more that we need to overcome," Ocon stated, emphasizing the need for greater reliability as the team heads into the season.
In assessing Bearman’s qualifying performance, Ocon confirmed that the current setup window for the Haas VF-25 remains narrow, leading to significant variance in performance between the two cars despite running similar configurations. “We see at times big differences across cars. We need to work on that,” he added, while expressing confidence in the team’s upcoming plans to enhance consistency.
The Haas team has demonstrated resilience, overcoming difficulties faced earlier in the season, and is looking forward to building on this momentum in the races to come.
Key Points:
- Grid Position: Ocon – P9, Bearman did not advance past Q1.
- Performance Gap: Ocon’s best time was 0.620 seconds off Verstappen’s pole.
- Team Focus: Addressing inconsistencies in the VF-25 setup.
- Future Plans: Development strategies to improve car reliability.
Stay tuned for updates as the Miami Grand Prix unfolds, promising a competitive showdown.
