Oliver Bearman, the rising star of Formula 1, has taken the bold step of standing by the blunders he made during his rookie season, claiming they were instrumental to his rapid development. The young Haas driver has made headlines with standout performances in Mexico City and São Paulo, and an eye-catching sixth-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, all of which helped him outshine his seasoned teammate Esteban Ocon by scoring 41 points to Ocon’s 38. This impressive tally underscores the remarkable potential Bearman possesses, igniting speculation about a potential future with the legendary Ferrari team.
Bearman, now 20, admits that his inaugural season was a rollercoaster ride, filled with both thrilling highs and troubling lows. Although he showcased his “talent and pace very early” on, he also faced a series of costly errors that nearly jeopardized his racing future. One particularly shocking incident involved crashing during the pit lane at Silverstone while under a red flag—a mistake that has left him teetering on the edge of a race ban. With 10 of the 12 super license penalty points already incurred, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Bearman as he heads into the 2026 season.
Reflecting on his tumultuous journey, Bearman revealed that he wouldn’t change a thing about his past mistakes. In a candid conversation with media outlets, including RacingNew365, he stated, “I think just staying motivated and committed, and not letting any of the things that happen get him down,” emphasizing the importance of resilience. He acknowledged the ease of hindsight, saying, “I could tell myself, ‘Don’t overtake [Carlos] Sainz at the red flag in Monaco,’ but that is just easy to say.”
What Bearman truly believes is that these blunders were crucial learning experiences that propelled his growth as a driver. “I wouldn’t change the mistakes that I made, because I think they allowed me to learn and improve at a faster rate,” he asserted, underscoring the notion that challenges often breed success. Without those early missteps, he questioned whether he would be where he is today.
Bearman’s team principal, Ayao Komatsu, has been candid about the hurdles faced by the young driver. In a pivotal summer discussion, Komatsu urged Bearman to harness his natural talent and evolve into a more mature and consistent competitor, warning him against being remembered solely as a fast driver with a penchant for accidents. Clearly, Bearman took this advice to heart, as evidenced by his remarkable performance in the latter half of the season.
However, Bearman also acknowledges that there are areas where he could have stepped up sooner. He expressed a desire to have taken on a leadership role within the team earlier than he did. “I would just give the feedback to keep pushing and to probably try and lead the team a bit earlier,” he explained. Though he is now successfully guiding his team, he admits that stepping into this role has been a challenge, especially as a young driver working alongside seasoned professionals. “It’s a new thing, so I would just say that,” he added, highlighting his ongoing journey of personal and professional growth.
As Bearman gears up for the future, one thing is clear: the lessons he’s learned from his rookie mistakes have set the stage for an exhilarating career ahead. With his undeniable talent and determination, the motorsport world will be watching closely as he continues to evolve into a formidable force on the F1 grid.








