Ocon Dismisses Haas Rift Rumors After Report Misnamed Ayao Komatsu, as Bearman Scores 17 of 18 Points
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 21
Ocon Dismisses Haas Rift Rumors After Report Misnamed Ayao Komatsu, as Bearman Scores 17 of 18 Points
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 21
Esteban Ocon said in Montreal that reports of a falling-out with Haas boss Ayao Komatsu were "fabricated with no foundation" and that no dispute occurred in Miami.
One detail drove his skepticism: the article that sparked the rumors called Komatsu "Ryo Komatsu," prompting Ocon to stop reading and say the report lacked real sourcing.
The denial comes as Haas has opened the season strongly, but Ocon remains under pressure because teammate Ollie Bearman has scored 17 of the team's 18 points through four Grands Prix and two Sprints.
That imbalance matters in the midfield fight: Alpine leads Haas 23-18 for fifth in the constructors' standings heading into this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.
With Ocon scoring just one point, is poor performance the real threat to his Haas future, not a rumored rift with his boss?
As Ocon lags far behind his teammate, can team boss Komatsu's lauded new culture resolve the driver's performance crisis?