Oliver Bearman wrapped up day 1 of the final pre-season Formula 1 test in Bahrain in 13th place on the timesheets. The British driver set a personal best of 1:35.778 during the session and completed a total of 42 laps, valuable mileage primarily focused on data gathering and understanding the car.
The result of the day was influenced by a few issues encountered on the car, which limited his time on track. Despite the interruption, Bearman was still able to collect crucial data for the team, which will now focus on unlocking the full potential of the VF-26 over the remaining two days of testing.
Bearman’s performance must be viewed in the typical context of pre-season F1 testing, where lap times are not a definitive indicator of true performance. All teams follow very different run plans, alternating between long runs, setup work and component testing, with data collection taking priority over outright pace. According to the British driver, this first day was decidedly positive ahead of the start of the championship, given the large amount of information gathered about the car’s behaviour.
Bearman’s comments
“Yes, it was a slightly interrupted afternoon,” said Oliver Bearman at the end of the opening day of testing in Bahrain. “But we can’t complain, so far at the start of this season we’ve had really strong mileage.”
“Obviously we lost a bit of track time because of a small issue we had, but actually it was useful as well, because it allowed us to better understand what these new components are doing on the car. We were able to carry out some aero tests and things like that, so from that point of view it was a positive day.”
“Yes, the power unit is not the problem,” added the Haas driver when asked how far along he feels in terms of understanding the 2026 car, with its new aerodynamics and Ferrari power unit. “Everything is much more aligned and we’re able to test it lap after lap, really building up a very large database.”
“On the aerodynamic side, last week we used the launch-spec car and only in this test have we gone out on track with the final version. So we definitely haven’t unlocked the car’s full potential yet. Even last week we left thinking there was still more to extract from the launch car.”
“In a way it’s positive that we haven’t extracted the maximum yet, but that’s exactly what the next two days will be focused on.”
Finally, he was asked whether he is excited to complete further runs in this test, as preparations continue for the Australian Grand Prix, now just two weeks away.
“Yes, exactly. I’m excited to continue the learning process and keep making progress. It’s a shame we had a slightly interrupted day today, but we’re moving forward step by step. And with every lap I feel more and more in tune with the car,” Ollie Bearman concluded.
As the sun sets on the Sakhir circuit, the focus for Haas shifts to the “definitive” spec of the VF-26. Ollie Bearman’s feedback suggests a car that is structurally sound and powered by a reliable Ferrari unit, with the primary challenge now being the refinement of the aerodynamic platform. With the 2026 regulations introducing a completely new philosophy of ground-effect and active aero, these final sessions are critical. If Ollie Bearman and the team can successfully bridge the gap between their data simulations and track performance, the American-owned squad could be a surprise contender in the midfield pack when the lights go out in Melbourne.
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