Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has refused to calm the storm swirling around the future of Esteban Ocon.
Articles were aired following the Miami Grand Prix that Komatsu and Ocon had engaged in an argument over that weekend, and in light of the French driver’s form compared to team-mate Oliver Bearman, that he could be out of a drive, even before the end of the campaign, with former Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda linked as a potential replacement.
Neither Ocon, and especially Komatsu, were happy with the reports. Such was his personal disgust, the Japanese boss could not hide his anger, littering his response with expletives.
As to when he would start considering his driver options for next season, and suggested that confirming Ocon would at least calm down the current situation, speaking to the media, including ApexF1News, Komatsu said: “Around now – May, June, July time.
“I think everybody is looking at next year’s drivers, and it is not just us, but everyone.”
Komatsu was then pressed on the matter. Put to him that if he had to decide today, would he keep both Ocon and Bearman, he shunned the opportunity to confirm the pair.
“I think a question like this is going to create some shit, right?” he replied.
“Because then people are going to take my words and say, ‘Oh, Ayao said this, you decide now, you’re going to continue with Esteban, not continue with Esteban’. They will take it completely out of context, so I am not going to answer that question.”
