Ocon cautious about overtaking in 2026, despite enjoying the new cars.

Ocon cautious about overtaking in 2026, despite enjoying the new cars.

      "It's quite different to drive compared to what we had last year,"

      Esteban Ocon has expressed doubt about whether the much-anticipated active aerodynamics in Formula 1 will actually enhance racing, labeling the new system as "essentially DRS at the front." Speaking with L’Equipe after the testing week in Barcelona, the Haas driver shared that his initial experience with the 2026 cars was mostly positive, albeit with some reservations. "It's very different to drive compared to what we had in 2025," Ocon stated. "Now, half of the power comes from the electric motor, and managing the throttle and energy recovery is crucial. It’s a new experience for all of us - but the good news is that it still feels like a race car."

      Ocon was particularly impressed with the straight-line speed. "I reached 350 km/h at the end of the straight - that’s never happened to me before," he noted. "The sensation of speed is fantastic." The opening week for Haas also surpassed his expectations. "I didn’t think it would go this well," Ocon confessed, explaining that the car was only completed late before testing commenced. "The Ferrari engine was reliable, the car was reliable, and we managed to complete many laps. That’s the most crucial aspect."

      However, regarding active aerodynamics, the French driver seemed skeptical. "It’s essentially DRS at the front," he remarked. "We could have pushed it further." On the topic of overtaking, Ocon cautiously commented: "My initial impression is that overtaking will be challenging. I don't want to make hasty judgments, but I hope it will get better." As for the early ranking of teams, Ocon mentioned that Barcelona provided more hints than definitive answers. "We observed that Mercedes was very fast, Ferrari was well-positioned, Red Bull looked strong, and McLaren was in the mix," he detailed. "Behind that, it should be competitive among Racing Bulls, Alpine, and us. Audi and Cadillac appear to be a bit behind for now - but it’s still very early. We’ll learn more in Bahrain."

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Ocon cautious about overtaking in 2026, despite enjoying the new cars.

Formula 1 | Esteban Ocon has raised doubts about whether the highly praised active aerodynamics in Formula 1 will genuinely enhance racing, referring to the new system as merely (…)