Oliver Bearman has undergone a remarkable transformation in his 2025 Formula 1 campaign, fueled by Haas’ significant car upgrades introduced at Silverstone. The young British driver’s confidence, previously fragile, has surged dramatically as he adapts to the enhanced performance delivered by the team’s redesigned floor and sidepod inlets.
Bearman’s season began with challenges, including a crash during the first practice session in Melbourne that left him starting at the back of the grid. After a series of solid but unspectacular performances in China, Japan, and Bahrain and enduring a seven-race run without scoring points, both fans and experts questioned whether he could regain momentum. However, the Haas upgrades proved to be a turning point in his campaign.
Progress Marked by Best Qualifying and Breakthrough in Sprint Race
At Silverstone, Bearman achieved his best qualifying result of the season, placing eighth. A 10-place penalty for ignoring red flags during practice forced him back to 18th on the grid, extending his drought without points into the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Despite that setback, Bearman’s renewed confidence translated into a strong Sprint race, where he secured seventh place and finally ended his streak without scoring.
Bearman openly credited the Haas upgrades for his change in drive.
“I haven’t found my confidence until we brought the Silverstone upgrade to the car,”
he said to Motorsport Week.
“Since then, I’ve had a really good feeling, and I’ve been able to replicate that feeling – and that’s crazy.”
His comments revealed how crucial the upgrade was in correcting balance issues that had hindered his results earlier in the season.
Challenges Remain Amid Optimism for Upcoming Races
Even with this breakthrough, Bearman has only accumulated eight points this season, placing him 19th in the Drivers’ Standings—the lowest tally among points scorers. Yet he remains hopeful that the momentum from Silverstone can be sustained. Reflecting on recent races, he acknowledged moments of missed opportunity and strategic flaws:
“I hope we can replicate the feeling that I’ve had in the previous two races,”
he said.
“In both qualifying and in the race, there’s been a few shortcomings from both sides: Silverstone I had a penalty, Spa we simply missed out on opportunities.”
Despite these hurdles, Bearman believes strongly in the Haas car’s potential.
“Clearly, the car has pace, so there is a lot of potential there. Step by step, we’re going to improve and get better,”
he declared, signaling his determination to climb the standings as the season progresses.
Looking Ahead to Zandvoort and the Season’s Second Half
The Formula 1 season now heads to Zandvoort, a circuit Bearman raced on last in his Formula 2 career with PREMA Racing. This upcoming Grand Prix will be a critical test to see if Bearman can convert his renewed confidence into consistent points finishes. The Haas upgrade has opened new possibilities, and all eyes will watch closely to observe how Bearman manages the pressure as he aims to rebuild his season.
With the summer break approaching and the Dutch Grand Prix on the horizon, Bearman’s ability to harness this confidence boost will be pivotal. His perseverance and commitment could make the second half of 2025 an exciting chapter for both him and Haas.
