During F1 testing, Ollie Bearman praised the new start procedure introduced with the 2026 power units, offering positive signs for the Ferrari-powered Haas.
While several drivers described the new start procedures introduced with the 2026 power units as complex and demanding, Ollie Bearman provided a far more positive assessment after completing a start simulation on Thursday during F1 testing in Bahrain—feedback that reflects well on Ferrari.
The young British driver, at the wheel of the Ferrari-powered Haas, highlighted clear progress compared to the initial runs, underlining how the work carried out in recent weeks is starting to pay off.
Bearman discusses start simulation alongside Ferrari
Responding to those who labeled the new starts as among the most difficult of recent years, Oliver Bearman delivered a surprisingly optimistic personal verdict. “For me, it was probably the best start ever. It is definitely more complicated than last year and the procedure is longer.”
Turbo management, made more delicate by the absence of the MGU-H under the 2026 regulations, requires precision and perfect coordination between the internal combustion engine and the electrical systems. It is an area on which all teams are working intensively. “Overall, we handled it quite well, but there is still a lot of variability between a good start and a bad one, much more than in previous years.”
Oliver Bearman clearly identified where the main technical challenge lies. “The transition between the internal combustion engine and the intervention of the electrical part is a crucial phase, and there is still a lot to optimize there.”
This is no minor detail for Haas, which runs Ferrari’s power unit. Improvements in start management therefore represent a positive signal for the Maranello engine department, currently adapting to the new regulatory framework. “We made a big step forward from the last test to this one, but it’s still not perfect.”
When asked about possible changes in his personal approach, Oliver Bearman clarified that there has been no major overhaul. “There hasn’t been anything specific: we simply decided to change the organization slightly. Mark is still very involved and we’ve been in contact over the past weeks, he just won’t be as present at the track anymore, that’s all.”
For Haas, the indications regarding start performance represent an encouraging first step. In a season where energy management and precision in the opening phase of a race can make a decisive difference, every technical improvement carries significant strategic value.
Oliver Bearman’s enthusiastic approval of the Ferrari power unit’s launch performance therefore suggests that the Maranello engineers have successfully navigated the complexities of the 2026 start procedures, providing Haas with a reliable and potent advantage for the upcoming season.
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