The 2025 season was Oliver Bearman’s first full year in Formula 1 as a regular driver, but he has already shown fans his impressive talent. What was expected to be a year of learning in F1 quickly turned into much more. After his sudden debut in 2024 with Ferrari, the British driver tackled his first complete season with unexpected maturity. In a detailed interview with F1.com, the Ferrari junior shared his thoughts on his 2025 campaign.
A difficult start, but Ollie Bearman finds stability
Bearman admitted:
“The second half of the year was much more controlled, less chaotic. At the start, everything was overwhelming, but now I feel I’ve found my place. Compared to F2, you’re always busy. You’re constantly in demand. At first, it’s tough, but then you learn to manage it.”
The turning point came between Zandvoort and Austin. Sixth place in the Netherlands. Ninth in Singapore. More points in the United States. And then, the masterpiece in Mexico: Q3 qualifying, an aggressive start, a wheel-to-wheel battle with Max Verstappen, finishing fourth. Ollie Bearman shared his excitement racing alongside a driver he has long admired:
“Battling side by side with Max is something special. He’s someone I’ve always watched on TV. I’m proud of what we achieved.”
Bearman: “Every situation in F1 has improved me”
Not everything went perfectly. Incidents, penalties, avoidable mistakes—Bearman doesn’t shy away from the truth.
“There were things that didn’t make me happy. But I give myself the space to make mistakes. I’m a rookie. I’m learning. Every situation has been an opportunity to improve. It doesn’t all happen overnight. I’m learning to understand what I want from the setup. Before, I didn’t have the tools. I’ve built solid foundations. I want to keep going like this.”
The 2026 season promises a complete technical reset—and perhaps a new opportunity. The Ferrari junior will need to perform at his best once again to catch the attention of top teams, while Haas will have the task of providing both him and teammate Esteban Ocon with a car capable of fighting toward the top of the grid.
Ollie Bearman’s debut season has been defined by a transition from an “overwhelmed” newcomer to a confident competitor who is not afraid to challenge the established guard. By acknowledging the areas that “didn’t make him happy,” he demonstrates the self-critical mindset necessary to survive and thrive in the high-pressure environment of Formula 1.
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