Is Esteban Ocon Underestimating the Haas vs. Cadillac F1 Rivalry?

The Formula 1 grid is a pressure cooker of rivalries. We live for the drama of teammate battles, the strategic chess between top teams, and the desperate scramble for points in the midfield. So, when a new, all-American team in Cadillac prepares to join the grid in 2026, you’d expect the existing US-based team, Haas, to feel the heat. A natural, star-spangled rivalry seems inevitable. But if you ask new Haas driver Esteban Ocon, he’ll tell you it’s just business as usual.

In a recent chat with the media, Ocon played down the idea of a special rivalry brewing between Haas and the incoming Cadillac squad. His take? Every team is a rival.”Not more than anyone around us,” Ocon stated when asked about the impending American showdown. “I think everyone around us, from the right side of the motorhome to the left side, they are all rivals to us.”

It’s a classic, media-trained driver response. On one hand, he’s right. In Formula 1, you’re fighting against everyone. The team in the garage next door wants to beat you just as severely as the one at the other end of the pit lane. Every point, every tenth of a second, is a battle. But to dismiss the unique context here feels just a little naive. Is Ocon missing the bigger picture?

Why the Haas and Cadillac Rivalry Matters

For years, Haas has been the sole American flag-bearer in Formula 1. They’ve weathered the storms of being a perennial underdog, carving out a space for themselves in a shark tank dominated by European giants. But with Cadillac’s arrival, backed by the colossal might of General Motors, the dynamic is set to change dramatically. This isn’t just another team joining the grid; it’s a direct challenge for the hearts and minds of the ever-growing American F1 fanbase.

Think about it: two American teams, two different philosophies, vying for supremacy on home soil and across the globe. It’s a marketing dream and a narrative that writes itself. The “Battle for America” will be a constant talking point, from COTA to Miami to Vegas. For Ocon to suggest Cadillac will be just another face in the crowd ignores the immense national pride and corporate bragging rights at stake. It’s a battle for identity, and that kind of fight always brings a little extra spice.

Ocon’s Familiarity with the New Foe

While Ocon might be downplaying the rivalry, he certainly isn’t underestimating Cadillac’s potential. He knows a thing or two about the personnel joining the new outfit, many of whom are his former colleagues from his time at Alpine (formerly Enstone). Cadillac has been on a hiring spree, snapping up seasoned F1 veterans like Pat Symonds, Nick Chester, and Rob White.

“Yeah, I know a lot of people from Enstone that I’ve worked with. Designers, engineers, and all the rest. And mechanics as well actually,” Ocon admitted. He recognizes that while Cadillac is a new name, the people building the machine are far from rookies. This isn’t a startup stumbling into the dark; it’s a team stacked with decades of Formula 1 experience. Ocon knows the caliber of talent he’ll be up against.“It is a new team but it’s not really a new team, if you know what I mean.

Because most of the people there have F1 experience,” he explained. “So I think it’s definitely a team that we need to look out for in the future.”This is where the emotional undercurrent lies. Ocon will be racing against people he knows, people he has worked with, fought alongside. There’s a personal dimension to this rivalry that goes beyond the flag on the chassis. He knows their strengths and weaknesses, and they know his. That kind of familiarity breeds a unique, more intense form of competition.

The Challenge Ahead for Cadillac

Ocon is also realistic about the steep learning curve awaiting any new team, even one with experienced heads. Haas knows better than anyone how brutal the initial seasons in F1 can be. Cadillac, despite signing Grand Prix winners Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, will face a significant challenge in getting up to speed.

They will start as a Ferrari customer team in 2026 before aiming to become a complete works outfit by 2028. That transition is a monumental task. But with the 2026 regulations overhaul hitting the reset button for everyone, Cadillac has a puncher’s chance to make an impact sooner rather than later.

Final Thoughts

So while Esteban Ocon may be presenting a calm, focused exterior, the reality is far more charged. He’s stepping into the driving seat of America’s F1 team at the exact moment a powerful domestic rival is kicking down the door. It’s a challenge that will define his time at Haas and could create one of the most compelling storylines on the grid. He may see every team as a rival, but he’ll soon learn that some rivalries are simply bigger than others.