In a season where the midfield battle is tighter than ever, Shanghai gave us a clear signal. Haas isn’t just hanging in there — it’s taking the fight to teams like Aston Martin. And honestly, I didn’t expect to see those grey cars charging like that. I watched the Chinese GP and said to myself, “Okay, things just got serious.”
A wake-up call in Shanghai
Let’s look at the numbers. Haas walked away from the Chinese GP with both cars in the points. Esteban Ocon finished fifth, Oliver Bearman came home eighth. Solid, fast, consistent. Meanwhile, Lance Stroll finished ninth and Fernando Alonso was out before Lap 5 due to brake failure.
Mike Krack, Aston Martin’s team principal, didn’t sugarcoat it. He said Haas looked “very strong” and urged his team to “stay humble and realistic.” I get that. You don’t want to sound panicked, but the warning lights are flashing.
A threat… or a turning point?
This isn’t just about Haas stepping up. It’s about the midfield being incredibly close. Every team from P5 to P10 is just one update away from flipping the script. For Aston Martin, who had podium hopes in early 2024, 2025 is proving to be way more complicated.
Still, there’s hope. Alonso is a mastermind, and the team’s investment in a new wind tunnel (and Adrian Newey!) could pay off long-term. But let’s be real — that payoff probably won’t come before 2026. I still believe they have potential this year… if they act fast.
What about you? Do you think Aston Martin can recover their momentum, or is Haas officially the new midfield king? And be honest: isn’t this midfield battle the most exciting part of 2025 so far?