Ocon admits VF-25 is missing pace after disappointing Saudi qualifying
It was a tough Saturday evening in Jeddah for Esteban Ocon. The Frenchman, who joined Haas for the 2025 season in a bid to reset his Formula 1 career, found himself out of qualifying in Q1 once again — a frustrating yet unfortunately familiar story so far this year. After climbing out of the VF-25 and removing his helmet under the bright Saudi Arabian lights, Ocon didn’t mince his words: “We’re just missing a lot of pace.”
Having qualified 19th, Ocon was brutally honest in his post-session interviews. “I tried everything I could,” he explained. “I took a risk, tried something a bit different with the approach, but even if I’d gained three tenths, it would’ve put me P17 — so the issue goes far deeper than just one lap.”
It’s not just one corner or one mistake. The problem, according to Ocon, is more systemic. From the first practice session on Friday, the VF-25 has been lacking performance — and Haas seem no closer to figuring out exactly why.
Ocon missing pace and searching for answers with Haas engineers
For Ocon, this isn’t about pointing fingers. He’s not new to F1’s endless development cycles, nor the ups and downs that come with a midfield team trying to punch above its weight. But the lack of performance in Jeddah has left the Frenchman and the team scratching their heads.
“We’ve struggled all weekend,” he admitted. “From FP1 it’s been difficult to get comfortable in the car. It’s not reacting the way we expect, and we haven’t been able to unlock anything extra with the setup.”
Haas have brought a slightly revised aero package to Saudi Arabia, but so far, it hasn’t yielded the gains they hoped for. And with the pack so tightly bunched — particularly in Q1 — even the smallest lack of confidence or rear grip can be fatal to a qualifying run.
Still, Ocon struck a tone of perseverance. “We have to keep working together as a team. That’s the only way we’re going to get out of this. We’ve been in tough situations before — and we’ve always found a way forward. This won’t be any different.”
Eyes on the race: strategy and survival in the Jeddah heat
Despite his lowly grid slot, Ocon isn’t giving up hope for Sunday. He knows the VF-25 still holds some potential over a race stint — and that the nature of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit means chaos is always lurking around the next flat-out kink. If the team plays its cards right, a smart strategy and a bit of luck could still turn a difficult weekend into something salvageable.
“Tomorrow we’ll race the best we can,” he said, remaining optimistic. “The key will be to execute the strategy well and make the most of any opportunities that come our way.”
But it won’t be easy. In fact, physically, it might be one of the most demanding races of the season.
“This track is extremely fast,” Ocon explained. “There’s a lot of grip, and you have to push right up to the walls if you want to be competitive. There’s absolutely no margin for error.”
Adding to the challenge this year is the scheduling. The Saudi GP has taken place later in the calendar than usual, meaning the drivers are now dealing with higher track temperatures — around 40°C during race conditions. Combine that with the street circuit layout and punishing G-forces, and it’s a true test of physical endurance.
“It’s going to be really hot in the car. Hydration, concentration, tyre management — all of that will be crucial. We need to be prepared not just technically, but physically and mentally too.”
Long season ahead — but no panic yet
It’s still early days in the 2025 season, and while Haas haven’t set the world alight, Ocon isn’t pressing the panic button just yet. There’s faith within the team that the issues can be resolved — and that the updates coming later in the season might make a bigger difference on more conventional circuits.
In the meantime, it’s about learning, surviving, and extracting whatever can be extracted on Sunday afternoons. For Ocon, who’s been through both highs and lows in his F1 career, this is just another chapter — not the whole story.
“Of course it’s disappointing,” he admitted one last time. “But we keep our heads down and keep working. We’ll get there.”
