Oliver Bearman has disregarded the speculation that his exploits in Mexico have cemented his status as Lewis Hamilton’s probable successor at Ferrari in Formula 1.
Bearman delivered an exceptional weekend last time out at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez to claim fourth place, equalling Haas’ best-ever result in the process.
“Yeah, it was a good race,” Bearman told media including Motorsport Week. “That’s what we all do it for and it’s really nice to bring that result to the team.
“It’s been a long time since they had a P4, and, of course, for a team of our size and our scale and operation compared to the others, this P4 for us is a fantastic result.
“All the mechanics, all of the engineers, they put in so much. Even the people back in Maranello and even in Banbury, it’s quite rare that they probably feel fully satisfied after a race because of the amount of hard work that they’re doing. I really hope that after Mexico they will.”
Bearman, who had lined up ninth, capitalised on Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s squabble to run third until a second pitstop saw him concede a place to the Red Bull.
The Briton has admitted that a maiden podium was on his mind at one stage, but he reiterated that the team made the right call to ensure it secured a big points haul.
“Of course, I just have to know what the others are doing and I wasn’t really sure what Max’s plan was,” he recounted.
“I think the only way if we finish in the top three would be if the guys behind me stayed out as well and we all went to the end.
“But the second that [Oscar] Piastri and [Andrea] Kimi [Antonelli] boxed, it was game over I think. I think regardless if we stayed out or boxed on that lap, I would have finished fourth.
“But of course, no way to finish on the podium and if a Safety Car came out and I didn’t pit, then I would have fallen back.
“From in the car, I thought I was going to be on the podium at one point. I was shocked when I got called to box, but I don’t see the full picture like the strategists do.”
Bearman’s breakthrough weekend even led the F1 website to label him “the heir apparent to Hamilton at Ferrari” amid his compatriot’s struggles at the Italian marque.
However, Bearman, who has a contract in place to race with Haas again next season, has recognised that it would be unwise to place much emphasis on such praise.
“One weekend they’re saying this, but then when the previous weekend doesn’t go well, they’re saying the opposite,” the Ferrari-affiliated driver told F1TV.
“The media like their headlines and stuff like that, and of course it was a great weekend and I’m very happy to have done that, but I’m not really bothered about it.
“I just try and keep my head down, focus on continuing to have those good results and deliver good points for the team as well.”
Nonetheless, Bearman acknowledged that having the chance to race at the sharp end against two multiple-time champions was a rewarding and valuable experience.
“Yeah, it’s a good feeling for myself,” he expressed.
“As a driver, of course, I’m not in the same car as those, but in that situation last weekend I could fight against those guys.
“That’s a good feeling as a driver and validates maybe the confidence that I have in myself, but I’m also aware that it’s not every weekend.
“It’s not that now we’ve finished fourth in Mexico that I expect to be fighting with those guys every weekend.
“It was, of course, a fortunate position to be in, but also I held my nerve going up against those guys. Yeah, it’s nice.”
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