Formula 1 rookie Oliver Bearman has expressed how “crazy” it is to see his confidence grow since Haas introduced a key upgrade package at the British Grand Prix in July. The American team fitted a revised floor and new sidepod inlets, which made an immediate impact on Bearman’s performance.
The upgrades helped Bearman achieve his highest qualifying position of the season at eighth. Although he finished 11th in the race, following a 10-place grid penalty for ignoring red flags during practice, Bearman continued to show significant improvement. At the Belgian Grand Prix, he ended his eight-race points drought with a seventh-place finish in the sprint race. Despite some engine issues and poor strategy in the grand prix, Bearman remained optimistic about his progress.
“Crazy Confidence Boost” After Silverstone Upgrade
“It’s crazy how much my confidence has changed since the Silverstone upgrade,” said Bearman, who has accumulated eight points in 2025. “Since then, I’ve had a really good feeling, and I’ve been able to replicate that feeling – and that’s crazy. You can’t describe it, but you chase it, you chase it, and when you can have it, it’s very special.”
Bearman’s newfound confidence carried over to Hungary, where he outqualified veteran teammate Esteban Ocon. However, a mechanical failure cut short his race. Despite the setback, Bearman’s improvement was clear after a tough start to the year, leaving him at the bottom of the driver standings after the Australian opener.
Optimism for the Remainder of the 2025 Season
The 20-year-old sees Haas’ upgrade package as the turning point in his campaign. “It’s a car that I feel fully comfortable in,” Bearman explained. “Of course, I tried to feel as comfortable as possible in the previous car, but it’s difficult when the balance is tough. Now we’ve managed to replicate that and from now, I think we can do a lot with this car.”
With a clear goal for the rest of the season, Bearman aims to maintain his recent momentum. “I hope we can replicate the feeling that I’ve had in the previous two races,” Bearman 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. 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.”
As Haas sits ninth in the constructors’ standings, Bearman remains determined to continue his strong form and contribute to the team’s success in a tight midfield battle. “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.”
Stay tuned for all the latest Sports News, follow SportsNewsTime on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram