Haas eyeing first points since June as Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman prepare for ‘challenging’ Azerbaijan GP
Banbury’s TGR Haas F1 Team are hopeful of securing a positive result at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the first of a triple-header in Asia.
Haas have not scored a single point in any of the last eight rounds, last finishing in the top 10 when Esteban Ocon came home P9 in Monaco.
Even that wasn’t down to pure race pace, with a chaotic grand prix seeing seven retirements, mass pit lane penalties and red flag mayhem.
But an upgrade brought to Monza two race weekends ago has settled in nicely and Ocon was agonisingly close to the points at the debut of the new-for-2026 Madring last time out, finishing 11th.
Arriving at the high-speed Baku, which includes a complex, technical middle sector, there’s optimism that Haas can qualify strongly and build from there.
Ollie Bearman, who has scored 18 of Haas’ 21 points so far this season, is excited to take to the streets of the Azerbaijani capital.
“The Baku City Circuit is one of the most fun tracks of the year once you get into the groove with the long straight and the twisty section around the old town, you feel like you’ve had a tour of the city over a lap,” Bearman said.
“This weekend I’m looking for a solid weekend without issues. The update brought to Monza is definitely showing that we’re now capable of pushing harder.
“I want to demonstrate what we’re capable of. It’s important that we start this triple-header on the right note.”
Bearman’s teammate Ocon hopes the next three races being so close together will work in the team’s favour as they seek to build momentum.
“We’re on an encouraging streak of races currently, where we’re working well, the car is consistent, and the update is doing its job,” the Frenchman added.
“As we enter this next triple-header, it’s key to prepare well, rest and maintain the right mindset, and that applies to everyone in the team.
“It’s actually a great opportunity to be together for three weeks, as you really get into a rhythm of things, and we all understand each other so well by this point in the season.
“Baku is another great circuit, an exciting yet challenging lap where, a bit like Madrid, you need to build up through the sessions, as mistakes are costly.”
Lights out for this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix is at 12pm BST on Saturday, September 26, with qualifying taking place on Friday.
The adjustment in timings is to avoid a conflict with the nation’s Remembrance Day.