Having achieved a career-best Formula 1 finish in Mexico City, Oliver Bearman‘s recent run of form is showing the promise that got him onto Ferrari’s books.
Before the summer break, the Briton had produced a rather muted rookie campaign, with eight points to his name in Haas’ inconsistent 2025 car, the VF-25.
Arguably, Bearman had spent most of his time in the headlines for the odd slip-up and the two unnecessary 10-place grid penalty for red flag infringements.
In both Monaco and, more notably, his home Grand Prix at Silverstone, Bearman denied himself a potential run into the top 10 by incurring such indiscretions.
In fact, Bearman was skating on the fringes of a race ban until last weekend, something he feared he would get after an incident during the Sprint Race in Austin.
However, since the summer break, and especially the last three races, Bearman has put in some incredible performances, culminating in his fourth place in Mexico.
The Haas racer is the highest scorer outside the top four teams since Zandvoort with 24 points to his name, three times his total from the opening 14 Grands Prix.
It runs deeper than that, though, as the underlying numbers show Bearman has had a rather underrated season, and is much deserving of his time in the spotlight.
Finally finding that consistency
Bearman’s pure speed, especially over one lap, has been clear to see. So it is no surprise he leads the head-to-head over experienced team-mate Esteban Ocon 12-8.
A 0.15-second average advantage over this season, which has grown to 0.28s since Imola, has seen Bearman start as the highest-placed Haas more often than not.
Indeed, Bearman’s three consecutive Q3 appearances are more than Ocon’s entire total in 2025, with the Frenchman advancing to the top-10 shootout twice this year.
However, Bearman’s one-lap edge hasn’t always produced results due to a lack of consistency, bad luck, or having a car that lacked the speed to convert on race day.
But since the summer break, something seems to have clicked for Bearman, with him doubling his 2025 points finishes in just six races.
Sixth in the Netherlands, combined with ninth-place finishes in Singapore and Austin, preluded his stunning run to fourth in Mexico, even threatening a debut podium.
However, it is not just an upturn in the Briton’s consistency that will excite his current employers in Haas, but also his potential future ones further up the pit lane in red.
Is the Bear the next star for the Prancing Horse?
Bearman has been connected to Ferrari since 2022 and is already the marque’s youngest driver, having made a late debut in place of Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia in 2024.
Having just missed out on Q3 in 11th after an hour’s practice, Bearman secured an eighth-place finish, holding off both Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton in the process.
Unsurprisingly, he was flooded with praise by drivers like Hamilton and Max Verstappen and already looked to be the future of Ferrari even prior to his maiden full season.
A somewhat under-the-radar first full season in F1 has done nothing to dent his Ferrari hopes, but his recent performances have shown exactly why he is so highly rated.
Alongside showing his adaptability with Q3 appearances on tracks he’s never raced at, Bearman also showed his bravery in Mexico, going wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen.
The Brit admitted to “s***ing myself” while going wheel-to-wheel with the Dutchman, but coped well with the pressure of the Red Bull in his mirrors for much of the opening stint.
As well as this, Bearman showed how opportune he his, gaining three places at the start as well as capitalising on the drama between Verstappen and Hamilton to move up to third.
2026 is a big year for Bearman; a quick adaptation to the new regulations could almost guarantee his place in Ferrari should Lewis Hamilton decide to hang up his helmet.
READ MORE – Why Ollie Bearman backed Haas decision to sacrifice potential F1 Mexico GP podium
Discussion about this post