Haas was unaware of Alpine using Ocon release as leverage

Haas boss Ayao Komatsu said he was completely in the dark about the way that Esteban Ocon’s first run for his team in the post-season Abu Dhabi test was used as leverage against the French driver.

The Japanese had agreed with Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes several weeks ago to be allowed to get hold of Ocon for next week’s tyre test at the Yas Marina circuit in a bid to give him a head start for next year.

However, it emerged at last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix that Alpine laid down an ultimatum to Ocon in the hours before the race that if he did not give up his race seat for this weekend then he would not be released for the test.

Following discussions between Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who still manages Ocon’s career, a deal was reached for the Frenchman to step down, opening the way for Jack Doohan to make his grand prix debut.

But while that meant there was a scenario that if Ocon refused to step aside then he would be pulled from the test, Komatsu said that he had had no indication from Alpine that it was potentially going to change its mind about making its driver available.

Having agreed with Alpine team principal Oakes at a recent F1 Commission meeting about getting hold of Ocon, Komatsu said he had had no indication that there could be a rethink.

“I spoke with Ollie in one of the F1 commission meetings…way before I confirmed it,” explained Komatsu ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“[He said], it’s okay, no problem. You can have Ocon driving the car. Then what should we do with the suit? Should we just do it in a white suit? Yeah, that’s the simplest, isn’t it? Then that was it.

“I’m pretty simple in that sense, that whatever goes on internally at Alpine has got nothing to do with me, right? So for me, Ollie gave me his word, so that was good enough.”

Komatsu became aware after the Qatar GP about the potential change of circumstances but said he would have expected Oakes to contact him if that was the case.

Asked if he knew about the test being used as leverage by Alpine, Komatsu said: “I don’t know, honestly. Whatever happens in Alpine, it’s got nothing to do with me internally.

“As far as I’m concerned, last time I spoke to Ollie about this, Ollie was happy that Esteban could drive for us in the post-season test, and he hasn’t said anything different ever since.

“So if something changed, then I expect him to come to talk to me about it. But he hasn’t. So he gave me his word. That was good enough for me.”

Komatsu said that Ocon would officially become a Haas driver on Monday, ahead of his first run in this year’s car in the tyre test.

And while the way Ocon’s Alpine career ended has prompted some to suggest he could be extra fired up to make things work with Haas, Komatsu thinks there was never any doubt about his motivation.

“I think he’s always been really motivated anyway,” he said. “That’s one of the big reasons why I signed him. He’s a really determined character and his work ethic is good – regardless of if the car is quick enough or slow.

“Like at the beginning of the season, when Alpine was absolutely nowhere, I think he was still putting lots of effort in to motivate the team, to try to move the team forward. I really respect that. So I don’t think motivation has ever been his problem.”

Asked if he was surprised that Alpine, which is locked in a tight fight with Haas for sixth in the constructors’ championship, had put a rookie in for the final round, Komatsu said: “I wouldn’t [have done it] but then again, whatever they do, it’s got nothing to do with me.

“I’m not here to comment on what they do. I’m sure they have their own reasons. And then it’s not my place to say anything.”

Photos from Abu Dhabi GP Thursday