Haas Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon has explained why he ran intermediate tyres in bone-dry conditions during Friday’s pre-season testing in Bahrain.

Pre-season testing is always a time for F1 teams to try unusual ideas outwith the constraints of a race weekend, with a number of odd things spotted on track this week, such as Ferrari’s upside-down rear wing.

Its customer team Haas turned heads on Friday in the first session of running when Esteban Ocon was sent out on intermediate tyres in dry conditions.

He joked that “it was a first” for an F1 car to undertake a drifting session, but explained that it was part of “required” tests Haas wanted to do.

“Bit of a drifting session,” he said when asked about it in the Friday lunch break press conference.

“It was nice. No, it was various different tests that the team needed and required before we start the year.

“But we were expecting some rain, so we thought, ‘let’s go’. No, but it was fun. It was fun drifting an F1 car, I think it was a first. I enjoyed that.”

Sky F1 pundit Anthony Davidson suggested Haas was evaluating loads on the car in wet conditions, where only the front wing element of the active aero is allowed to be used.

Haas has been “gaining performance for free” in testing

Haas has emerged as a favourite to lead the midfield battle at the start of the 2026 season, following a strong testing phase with its new car.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Ocon says the team has been able to improve every time it has put the car on track, noting that it has “gained performance for free” to this point.

“I think it’s been a very good test for us, but since Barcelona,” he added.

“Every time we put the new car down on a new day we’ve improved some stuff.

“We’ve found more performance, and I think these last two days have been extremely productive, where we understood a lot about the car and gained performance for free.

“So, I’m looking forward to go racing.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

“My test is now over on my side. I look forward to going racing in Melbourne and seeing what we can do.”

Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter