True or False? Yuki Tsunoda to replace under pressure Esteban Ocon at Haas F1 Team?

The comments come amid a rumour that morphed into speculation over Ocon’s future after current Haas boss Ayao Komatsu recently admitted “nobody was satisfied” with Ocon’s performances relative to sophomore teammate Bearman.

Former Haas team principal, Steiner offered a blunt assessment of Ocon’s position at the American team while also praising Bearman’s rapid development and long term potential.

Asked about Ocon’s form against his sophomore teammate, Steiner said: “It's good to have somebody to compete with. I think what they have done is good, to have somebody, especially a known quantity. We know how good Esteban is, and Esteban normally is a good driver.

“Is he world champion material? Maybe not, but it's a good reference point and it works because now you can see that Bearman is a big talent. And I'm pretty sure that he (Bearman) learned a lot from Esteban as well.

“Esteban will not end up in a top team anymore while Ollie will. Esteban is a good driver, but I think he's found his place," explained Steiner.

In the other Haas, Bearman has emerged as one of the standout young drivers of the season, with the younger driver consistently matching or beating veteran Ocon.

That growing imbalance inside the Haas garage has inevitably triggered questions over whether the team could eventually look elsewhere if Bearman establishes himself as the squad’s long term leader.

Steiner suggested Haas could consider replacing Ocon if Bearman continues to have the upper hand: "There is a chance that he loses and that there's somebody around who is more promising. That also depends on what's happening with Ollie, because if he outpaces him consistently, there will be some changes.

“If Ollie stays around, then you have got the experienced driver now who is leading the team, and you don't need somebody like Esteban because it's a money thing. Esteban is not cheap and they will maybe try instead to get the next good talent in there on the side of Ollie.”

The comments underline the difficult position Ocon may face if Haas decides its future should revolve around Bearman while also seeking a cheaper long term option alongside the Ferrari backed youngster.

Despite questioning Ocon’s future, Steiner acknowledged that the current driver market offers limited alternatives. Asked who Haas should target if it entered the market for a replacement, he said: “I don't think there are a lot of guys available.

"I think Tsunoda. He does a good job all the time, so he's one that's available as he's a reserve driver at the moment. But I don't think there's a lot of choice out there for people who are out of a contract next year. It will be very difficult to find someone to replace Esteban," added the f

Steiner also cautioned against making early judgements: "It's a little bit early to say how good the guys are this year in Formula 2. We obviously had some good years two years ago, when the rookies came in last year, but at the moment it's hard to say as the season has just started.”

In the end, Steiner suggested Ocon’s experience may still prove valuable in a market short on proven options: “I do not think anybody else is free to go there though. I think it would be difficult. Maybe Esteban is one of the few choices who are available with the experience.”

For now, Haas appears to have a delicate balance on its hands: an experienced benchmark in Ocon alongside a rapidly rising Bearman who increasingly looks like the team’s future.

But Steiner’s comments make clear that if the 21-year-old Briton continues to outperform his 29-year-old French teammate, Haas could soon face a major decision over whether to keep paying for experience or fully commit to youth as the Formula 1 driver Silly Season for 2027 looms.
(Quotes supplied by Casino.org)