The Singapore GP has long been one of Formula 1’s most demanding challenges, combining the heat and humidity of Southeast Asia with the unforgiving barriers of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Drivers arrive knowing they face a race that is both physically and mentally exhausting, where the balance between car performance, driver endurance, and weather unpredictability often decides success. As the 2025 edition of the Singapore GP approaches, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team’s Esteban Ocon expressed both realism and optimism during Thursday’s FIA press conference. After a mixed run of results since the summer break, the Frenchman believes Haas has an opportunity to rediscover form on the streets of Singapore.
Progress since the summer break
Ocon began by reflecting on the team’s performances in recent rounds. He acknowledged that while there were positives, particularly in Zandvoort, some circuits have not played to the strengths of the VF-25.
“I think since the summer break, obviously, we had very good Zandvoort as a team. The Quali was definitely not great, but we were able to have very good car pace through the race and come back in very decent positions. After that, I think the tracks were quite difficult for us. There were some areas of the track where we were lacking quite a lot of pace – in Baku and Monza.”
The Frenchman noted that the team’s difficulties on faster, more power-dependent layouts highlighted areas that still need work. However, he turned quickly to Singapore as an opportunity to reset expectations.
“But I hope that here we will have more performance out of this car. It’s a track that I really enjoy, especially since they removed that last sector that I didn’t really like too much. Yeah, I’ve learned to like this track more and more, to feel more comfortable with it through the years, and it’s a track that I now really like. And there’s a lot of support around here also, so it’s quite special.”
Suitability of the car to Marina Bay
The Haas driver also assessed how the team’s car might perform on the Singapore layout. Known for its low-speed corners and traction-dependent sections, the circuit could play to the VF-25’s comparative strengths and mask some of its weaknesses.
“I hope so. I mean, usually, where we lose quite a lot of performance is in the straight lines. There are not many of that around here. We are pretty good in terms of traction, getting out of corners, and low-speed performance is also pretty decent.”
Despite this optimism, Ocon remained cautious about the unpredictable nature of the event. The Singapore climate, with its high humidity and frequent sudden showers, often transforms the running order and challenges teams to adapt.
“So again, it’s going to be very close out there. It’s looking like it would be quite tough with the weather, so we need to see which sessions are going to be dry and if the important ones are going to be dry as well. But it’s out there to take the opportunity, and I hope that we can take a good one.”
Ocon’s words capture the balance Haas strike in Singapore: optimism in the car’s ability to handle tight and twisty sections, tempered by the need to adapt to whatever the weather may bring. His affection for the circuit, shaped by both its evolving layout and its electric atmosphere, gives him added motivation as he looks to extract the maximum performance this weekend.
