Oliver Bearman, the rookie Formula 1 driver for Haas, has experienced a notable rise in confidence following the team’s upgrade at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix in July. The American team introduced a revised floor and new sidepod inlets, enabling Bearman to qualify in eighth place—his best starting position of the year.
Despite finishing 11th in the race due to a 10-place grid penalty for ignoring red flags in practice, Bearman bounced back in Belgium, ending an eight-race streak without points. He secured seventh place in the sprint race, matching his starting position, and showed potential to score more in the grand prix before an engine issue and strategy setbacks limited him to 11th.
Consistent Improvement Through Mid-Season Races
The 20-year-old carried his strong momentum into the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he outqualified his experienced teammate Esteban Ocon. Unfortunately, Bearman’s race ended prematurely due to a mechanical failure. This series of performances marks a clear turnaround from the difficult start he had in 2025, where he ranked lowest among drivers who have competed since the season opener in Australia.
Bearman reflected on his development with the upgraded car, saying,
“I haven’t found my confidence until we brought the Silverstone upgrade to the car,”
emphasizing how much the improvements have impacted his driving. He added,
Image of: Oliver Bearman
“Since then, I’ve had a really good feeling, and I’ve been able to replicate that feeling – and that’s crazy.”
Feeling Comfortable and Optimistic About Future Races
When asked if the Silverstone enhancement represented a genuine turning point for his season, Bearman affirmed it was a significant start and expressed optimism about the remaining races. He explained,
“It’s a car that I feel fully comfortable in,”
and acknowledged the difficulties he faced previously when struggling with car balance. He confidently stated,
“Now we’ve managed to replicate that and from now, I think we can do a lot with this car.”
The driver’s focus is clear for the rest of 2025: to maintain the upward trajectory and assist Haas in solidifying their position in the midfield. Currently, Haas sits ninth in the standings amid intense competition.
Building on Recent Success to Solidify Midfield Competitiveness
Bearman, who trails his teammate Esteban Ocon by 19 points, aims to build on his recent performances. He reflected candidly on the setbacks, stating,
“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.”
Still, he sees the potential within the car, declaring,
“But 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 concluded by expressing hope for sustained progress,
“I hope we can keep up this level of performance, and then I think we can score some good points going into the second half of the season.”
Looking Ahead: The Importance of Maintaining Momentum
Oliver Bearman’s growing confidence and steady results since the HaasSilverstoneupgrade mark a promising shift in his Formula 1 career. With the team preparing to tackle the final 10 races of 2025, his ability to consistently extract performance from the upgraded car will be critical in Haas’s midfield battle. As Bearman continues to close the gap with teammates and rivals, his development could influence Haas’s positioning in the tightly packed midfield and enhance his reputation as a rising talent in Formula 1.
