Haas’ Hidden Gem: Why Losing Bearman Would Hurt Hard

Oliver Bearman’s breakthrough season has boosted Haas F1, yet his future ties to Ferrari could soon complicate their long-term plans.

After a rough start in Melbourne filled with crashes, Oliver Bearman has bounced back impressively with Haas F1. Scoring points in three of the next four races, the young Brit is now regularly challenging Esteban Ocon in qualifying.

Bearman’s combination of sudden mistakes and flashes of brilliance is no coincidence.

According to team principal Ayao Komatsu, Bearman’s driving style is unique and sometimes extreme. It is both his strength and something to watch closely.

“He has a very particular driving style, but he knows how to drive around problems,” Komatsu told The Race.
“That is one of his big strengths. But if he is not careful, it can also become an issue, because sometimes he does not even realize he is driving around a problem.”

“We just have to work with it. It is not really his fault. In fact, it is amazing that he can adapt like this, a bit like Fernando Alonso.”

“Back when I worked with Fernando at Renault, he would often complain in FP1 and FP2, but by FP3 he would say ‘OK, this is the car I have’ and drive around the issues.”

“But Ollie is still a rookie. Fernando was already a world champion.”

“Ollie definitely has that ability. Very few drivers do. It is a great skill to have.”

“We are talking about very fine margins here. It is a real pleasure to work with him.”

Learning from Esteban Ocon, Bearman has also built a strong reputation for his technical feedback. Once a teammate to Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Prema in F2, he has quickly shown he can guide engineers effectively on car setup.

“Technical understanding is the first step to getting the most out of a car,” Bearman explained.
“So for me, it is non-negotiable. When I step into a new car, I need to understand what is happening under the bodywork.”

“Of course, it helps that I have spent a lot of time on simulators and testing, but honestly, I am just addicted to the sport.”

“I spend my time reading about the team’s past races, what worked, what didn’t, what setups they tried, what they didn’t. I study all the race reports.”

“I am addicted to learning more because I know it is the best way to get every bit of performance out of the car.”

“Even if it is just worth half a tenth, it is worth it because the midfield is so tight.”

“I am already having calls with the team about upcoming races and developments. Every small thing we improve could make a real difference.”

Komatsu confirmed that Bearman soaks up information “like a sponge” and is “completely open” to feedback from the engineering team.

“He listens, he looks at the data, and he learns. If you do not have that hunger to learn, you will not survive in this environment.”

A Motivator for the Entire Team

Komatsu also praised Bearman’s attitude and the positive energy he brings to the garage.

“People often underestimate the impact of positivity,” Komatsu said.
“Ollie’s body language is positive. His tone of voice is positive. He genuinely lifts people up.”

“Even when he is disappointed, his debriefs are constructive, not depressing.”

“He will say he could have done better. If he is unhappy with the car, he says it, but in a way that is honest without being negative.”

“There is a lot to be said for that. It is very motivating for the team around him. He is a real asset.”

“Sometimes I have to remind myself he is still a rookie.”

Handling Early Setbacks

Despite a disastrous first race in Melbourne, Bearman never doubted his ability.

“I can see how two bad weekends could easily start a downward spiral. It can be dangerous,” he admitted.
“So being able to bounce back quickly felt amazing. But honestly, even after Melbourne, I never doubted myself because I have proven to myself so many times that I have what it takes.”

A Long-Term Asset for Haas?

Fast, easy to work with, and highly skilled in car development, Bearman is a huge asset for Haas F1.

The downside? As a Ferrari Academy driver, the young Brit could one day be called back to Maranello, especially as Lewis Hamilton’s career eventually winds down.

Komatsu knows they will not be able to keep Bearman forever.

“Yeah. But we have him secured for a good amount of time,” he said.
“And if losing him one day becomes a problem, that is a pretty good problem to have.”

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Haas’ Hidden Gem: Why Losing Bearman Would Hurt Hard
Haas’ Hidden Gem: Why Losing Bearman Would Hurt Hard